VIRGIN RETAINS TITLE OF MOST ATTRACTIVE EMPLOYER

VIRGIN Australia provides one of the most enviable workplaces in the country according to Randstad's annual employer branding research.

Virgin retained the title of Australia's most attractive employer for the second consecutive year with 51.34 per cent of Australians wanting to work for the brand.

According to Randstad, Virgin is particularly attractive to workers because it appears to offer a good work-life balance, a pleasant working atmosphere and strong management.

The Randstad Award, presented in front of executives from Australia's top 20 most attractive employers in Sydney, recognises organisations considered to be the most attractive employers according to more than 10,000 Australians.

Coming in a close second was Australian icon Qantas with 51.3 per cent of people wanting to work for the company, and defence, security and aerospace company BAE Systems taking out third spot.

Randstad says aviation is the most attractive sector to work for in the country, according to 46 per cent of Australians, with workers believing the sector leads to training, interesting job content and a good working atmosphere.

Frank Ribuot, CEO of Randstad Australia and New Zealand, congratulated Virgin Australia for maintaining its top position once again after winning in 2015 and in the inaugural award in 2011.

"Virgin Australia clearly has a winning formula as one in every two people in the country know the Virgin brand, love it and would love to work there," says Ribuot.  "This is a very powerful asset to own."

Virgin Australia was also recognised as the most attractive employer for women and people in the 25-44 age bracket.

Geraldine Chin Moody, group executive - people, culture and sustainability at Virgin Australia, says the company is proud of the lengths to which its people go to bring the Virgin Australia brand to life.

"It's fantastic to see their passion and commitment recognised with the Randstad Award for the second consecutive year," says Chin Moody.

Qantas' popularity soared this year after placing fifth in 2015, and only just missing the top spot by 0.04 percentage points in 2016.

For people in the 18-24 and over-45 age bracket, Qantas took the top spot.

Ribuot says the Randstad research highlights just how crucial employer branding and having a strong employer value proposition is to attracting and retaining top talent in today's highly competitive marketplace.

"The sky is the limit - once you have developed a strong employer brand," says Ribuot.

"Not only do 84 per cent of workers state they would leave their current job to work for a company with a better corporate reputation, it's also been found payroll costs will be reduced by 10 per cent and staff turnover can be reduced by 28 per cent."