Why retail is the place to find a job in Cairns
A FLURRY of high-end retailers opening in Cairns has employment experts tipping the industry will be the next boom area in Far North Queensland.
During May, jobs data showed solid prospects for the region with unemployment at 4.1 per cent, according to the latest quarterly Conus/CBC Staff Selection Trend Industry Jobs report.
More than 1200 jobs were added to trend employment in May.
Over the course of the past 12 months, most of new employment has come in the middle-aged cohort (more than 19,500) with youth and the older cohort seeing very modest increases, said report author Pete Faulkner.
“Over the course of the year full-time employment is up 18,200,” he said.
“The trend labour force data in Cairns has been improving solidly for more than 12 months with some really significant gains in recent months.
“For example, in the past six months, trend employment is up over 12,000. There can be no doubt that the labour market in Cairns is running hot at the moment. This is also reflected in the very strong pickup in trend participation which now sits at a six-year high.
“Were it not for this surge in participation the unemployment rate would be much lower.”
CBC Staff Selection boss Sally Mlikota said the recent election required a considerable amount of government resources, meaning a peak in demand for supplied staff in temporary, contract and permanent capacities. But retail was also a big winner with 3500 jobs added to the sector.
“It’s not just an election-driven spike, however, as significant investment in grants for small businesses has also enabled more companies to take on staff,” she said.
“Cairns is a hive of activity now in terms of the hotel industry for example, with Crystalbrook’s Flynn and Bailey nearing completion.
“Not only has this meant more employment locally in the construction field but also, there will be a drive to recruit staff for the hotels as they prepare to open.
“We can also see a clear indication of confidence in the retail industry with the arrival of high-end companies such as Tiffany & Co. due to open stores in Cairns.
Jobs in education and training increased by 2800 and construction by 2400
Despite the rosy outlook from Mr Faulkner and Ms Mlikota, retail jeweller Takahiko Tatsuno said customers were few and far between.
He operates from Pouch, a store on Lake St which he shared with three other small business owners. “This is not a busy street perhaps. I see lots of customers in cafes and restaurants but retail is not busy,” Mr Tatsuno said.
“Local people do come in here for a special product.”