Coast staffing struggle
Survey reveals businesses have trouble recruiting in winter
SURF Coast businesses are struggling to attract and retain staff, with the winter months proving the most difficult time to recruit.
Problems faced by Surf Coast businesses were revealed in a recent survey that gathered 135 responses.
Twenty-eight businesses surveyed told the shire it was difficult to fill vacancies during the summer months, while 47 said they had trouble in the winter months.
Leon Walker, who owns Lorne cafe Health and Hire with wife Katie, said seasonal shifts in the population at the holiday hotspot meant his staff fluctuated between three and eight.
“It is an issue to try and retain staff,” Mr Walker said.
“It’s pretty well known that there isn’t much accommodation available during peak season.
“You almost have to find accommodation (for staff to live in) before finding a person for the role.”
Surf Coast Shire environment and development general manager Ransce Salan said businesses reporting difficulties with staff retention increased by 5 per cent from council’s 2018 business survey.
“The survey indicates it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract and retain professionals,” Mr Salan said.
“The positions most difficult to fill continue to be hospitality, including chefs and housekeepers, professionals, retail, and technical and trade workers.”
The survey found half of respondents reported increased energy costs was a barrier affecting business.
Most businesses surveyed said performance was the same or better than last year.
More than 40 per cent operated from home, and 44 per cent had been in business for 10 years or more.
Only 12 per cent of businesses surveyed bought all their goods and services in the Surf Coast Shire.
Thirty-two per cent of survey respondents told council they needed to be trained on how to best use Facebook to market their business.
About Barbecues and Fireplaces owner Mike Craft said developing an effective advertising strategy remained a challenge.
“No matter how much advertising we do across multiple streams people tend not to know we’re in existence,” he said.
The family-run Torquay business, which employs four people, plans to put more resources into developing its website and growing its online and social media following.
Mr Craft said offering advice on social media as to how customers could use the products sold through the business proved an effective strategy in growing an online following.
More than 5000 businesses operate in the shire.