SKILLS ON THE MENU

Trained chefs in demand as hospitality opportunities grow

SKILLED hospitality workers are “spoiled for choice” and in demand in Cairns.

Functions and conferences are in full swing in the Far North, where experienced hospitality workers are reaping the benefits of an otherwise lacklustre job market.

The latest job trends show chefs are hot property across the region, with employers hungry for more qualified cooks.

“Hospitality has been starting to ramp up so definitely there are a lot more vacancies and a lot of movement in the industry,” recruiter Edward Karras of Top End Consulting said.

“Chefs are commanding what they want - there are a lot of events and functions kicking off.”

He said unlike most years, permanent hires in the first quarter of the year had accounted for much of the casual hospitality labour pool

“I think vacancies are pretty client driven at this point – now we are seeing a candidate driven market place – they are spoiled for choice,” Mr Karras said.

“It won’t dent the unemployment market but is suitable for the candidate looking to increase perks.”

Restaurateurs are feeling the pinch and finding it harder to fill vacancies.

“I went through six head chefs in eight weeks, to find the right candidate,” La Fettuccina restaurant owner John Japp said.

“There is a heap of work out there but some chefs price themselves out of the market because their skills aren’t up to scratch.

“They pump them out so quickly and so young these days.”

Herron Todd White research director and analyst Rick Carr said job figures expected this week were unlikely to show great movement for the region.

“There is not going to be a sudden rebound and probably not any deterioration either,” Mr Carr said.

“I do expect from July to see some job creation starting to happen.

“The economy has improved but not at the rate employers were expecting.”

He said despite increased commercial construction in the CBD, job creation had not yet hit a critical mass with commensurate population growth.

“It doesn’t appear that our population growth has matched job creation,” Mr Carr said.

“Even though housing is tight it is not super stressed.”