The Echuca Jobs Expo was held on Wednesday, November 20, connecting locals with employers and training providers.
Workforce Australia Goulburn Murray Local Jobs employment facilitator Faye D’Helin said 30 businesses had registered, and over 45 exhibitors were available at the event.
Ms D’Helin estimated over 150 positions were open to apply for on the day, and said she expected hundreds of jobseekers to attend.
“We had people lining up at the door before 11am,” she said.
“We were hoping to get 200 people through the door today, and I’ve got a feeling we’re going to get there.”
A broad age range of people came to the free event looking for casual, part-time and full-time work, Ms D’Helin said, from school-leavers through to those in their 60s.
Employers from health, aged care, construction, tourism, agriculture, legal and defence, among other areas, exhibited at the event.
Echuca Regional Health human resources business partner Jemma Beer said the event had gone well, with ERH receiving multiple applications and expressions of interest.
While there weren’t many positions available before Christmas, Ms Beer said ERH was always on the lookout for casual staff in corporate services and nursing.
Specialist roles could prove more difficult to fill, she said, especially as there were challenges for those looking to relocate to the area.
“I know we have done a bit in the international space, and when people have come over, trying to find housing and childcare — total barriers,” Ms Beer said.
Coolabah Turf general manager Michelle Hearn said rental prices and housing availability issues deterred potential employees from moving to Echuca.
“People wanting to move here and rent in the short term just can’t get into the town,” Ms Hearn said.
“I think that really limits the number of people coming here and increasing our opportunities in terms of the workforce.”
Farm manager Dave Geltch said finding employees for Coolabah Turf had become increasingly difficult since the COVID-19 outbreak.
“One the ag side of things it’s starting to free up a bit more, but I think the office side is very difficult,” he said.
Bendigo TAFE Skills and Jobs Centre career adviser Cindy Kulsi said services offered by her team’s exhibit were popular, including updating resumes, interview training and information on available courses.
Having organised the event in only six weeks, Ms D’Helin said, given more time, she believed the event could have seen twice the number of businesses involved.
“This is what our program does. We connect with the community and say, ‘What do you need, what will benefit the community’ in regard to employment,” Ms D’Helin said.
“We’ve been able to come up with an event that, I think, the proof’s in the pudding, Echuca needed.”
Ms D’Helin said businesses could reach out to the Local Jobs Program if they were experiencing workforce issues for tailored events and initiatives.