The Western Australian Government has launched a campaign encouraging 18-30 year old Western Australians to explore the regional areas of their home state on a working holiday.
Following the success of the WA Tourism’s Wander Out Yonder campaign, Work and Wander Out Yonder is designed to combat the workforce shortages now being faced by WA’s regional hotels and hospitality venues.
Many businesses have found themselves running at full capacity but unable to recruit staff to support such demand. Traditionally international backpackers have been a huge part of this workforce but with 50,000 working holiday makers having left Australia due to COVID-19, jobseekers must be found closer to home.
The campaign targets 18-30 years olds and invites them to to earn money, gain experience and have an unforgettable backpacking adventure in their home state. Working destinations include Margaret River, the Wheatbelt, Exmouth and Esperance.
WA Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said, “International backpackers have been having the time of their lives working and enjoying themselves in regional WA over the years – now’s the time for young West Aussies to see what they have been missing.”
The Australian Hotels Association (WA) worked closely with the WA Government to design the campaign and AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods fully supports it:
“The significant challenges COVID-19 has presented WA’s hospitality industry have been compounded by an alarming shortage of skilled workers in regional areas.
“This campaign is a welcome step in the right direction and aims to highlight the appealing career paths and short-term work opportunities that exist in WA’s most sought after holiday destinations.
“This campaign is extremely appealing for those Western Australians looking for work – they will have an array of attractive employment opportunities to choose from and the cherry on top is the fact that the jobs are located in world-class holiday destination,” he said.
