Mature age workers encouraged to consider tourism and hospitality careers

• Initiative to encourage mature age Western Australians to consider flexibility and benefits of jobs in tourism and hospitality
• Event being held to introduce workers to benefits of tourism and network with employers
• Incentives also on offer for businesses to employ more employees over age 45
• Supported by Western Australian Government, through Tourism Western Australia

The Western Australian Government has rolled out a series of hospitality and tourism recruitment initiatives to encourage those aged 45 years and older to consider taking up roles in the industry.

This includes a Tourism and Hospitality Connect event being held by Tourism WA today at Perth Town Hall connecting mature age job seekers with employers.

With more than 80 participants registered to attend, the event will provide an insight into potential job opportunities and showcase the benefits of working in the sector.

The event and wider campaign activity is aimed at mature aged jobseekers and is supported by the WA Government to address skills shortages in the industry and support the development and growth of local businesses.

Training and upskilling incentives are available for the cohort of jobseekers aged 45 years and over who are considering working in tourism and hospitality roles.

This includes free training and job placement assistance through the WA Government's Job Reconnect Program, as well as up to $1,500 to cover work-related costs such as equipment and uniforms.

Additionally, WA tourism operators and businesses are being encouraged to recruit mature age employees through a range of State and Commonwealth Government incentives.

This latest campaign and event builds on the significant investment that the WA Government has made to workforce attraction initiatives being implemented by Tourism WA through the Tourism Workforce Development Program.

This includes funding short-term programs to address the current shortage of workers, while also building a pipeline of talent for the future.

Launched in May 2022 and developed in partnership with the Australian Hotels Association WA, westernaustralia.jobs is the dedicated tourism and hospitality jobs, training and careers workforce portal, and a one-stop shop for job seekers and career seekers looking for opportunities throughout the State.

Employers in tourism and hospitality are encouraged to advertise their job vacancies on the westernaustralia.jobs portal to connect with prospective employees.

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Our local tourism and hospitality industry is the best in the country - we have world-class tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants and venues that offer enjoyable and exciting working environments for people of all ages.

"The WA Government is committed to supporting tourism and hospitality employers to fill job vacancies and retain workers, while enhancing opportunities for mature age people to earn an income through casual or part-time work.

"This campaign to encourage prospective mature age employees to take roles in tourism and hospitality perfectly complements the WA Government's $3.9 million commitment to develop workforce skills in the industry."