Aussie businesses tap travelling workforce to solve staffing issues

With unemployment in Australia continuing to hover at around 5 per cent, recruiting and retaining quality talent is becoming a growing challenge.

Not only does it affect companies' ability to grow, it impacts customer service and productivity levels.

Helping alleviate this pressure is The Global Work & Travel Co., the Gold Coast-headquartered travel company, connecting businesses with staffing shortages to travellers on working holiday visas.

"It's as easy as telling us the industry you're in, what kind of staff you're looking for and the skills they will need to be successful, plus any other specifics for the roles you're looking to fill," said Jürgen Himmelmann, The Global Work & Travel Co.'s CEO and co-founder.

After joining, businesses receive a selection of the most relevant applicants who fit their criteria. They then simply pick the most appropriate candidates and The Global Work & Travel Co. coordinates the best interview times.

The service is free for employers.

Global's working holiday program, which has helped over 2,000 organisations worldwide, sees working holidaymakers from the UK, Europe, Canada and the US commit to a minimum engagement of four to six months whilst here. Himmelmann says these are motivated individuals who consider their adventure a vital experience in professional and personal development.

"Unlike backpackers, working holidaymakers are here to stay as long as possible, they work as hard or harder than locals, and they're here to experience what this country has to offer, create a lasting network of international friends and colleagues while discovering another part of the world," he added.

Hannah Fletcher, Pinetrees Lodge staff member from The Global Work & Travel Co.

Almost 10,000 people each year travel through the company's services.

Dani Rourke, director of Pinetrees Lodge on Lord Howe Island, uses The Global Work & Travel Co. to fill roles that are difficult to fill due to the short-term nature and remote location of her property.

"We spend a lot of time trying to recruit local residents for entry-level roles with little success," she said. "When I sent our available position descriptions to The Global Work & Travel Co., I was sent eager applicants who were enthusiastic and really keen to work in a remote area."

To fast-track the hiring process, the company makes sure every applicant arrives with a valid work permit, has no criminal record, sets up tax file numbers and keeps businesses up to date with any developments.

This saves partner organisations time while allowing them to plan staffing needs well in advance and diversify their workforce with international accents, attitudes and perspectives blended in with their local Aussie team members.

"Our partners like the fact that they stay in control, and have the final decision, whether they're looking to fill a shortage for four months or someone permanent for up to two years or more," Himmelmann said.

Organisations interested in seeing if they are eligible to join The Global Work & Travel Co.'s Partner Organisation Network should visit https://globalworkandtravel.com/staffing.