The Cairns Post

Jobseekers zoom in on 50 work vacancies

- CHRIS CALCINO chris.calcino@news.com.au

A CAIRNS training firm has helped give more than 100 young jobseekers a headstart on post-COVID employment by hosting one of the biggest virtual recruitmen­t drives in Australian history.

Vocational Partnershi­ps Group (VPG) hosted the online job-matching event yesterday to fill more than 50 retail sector vacancies across the Cairns region.

Prospectiv­e workers participat­ed in an online group Zoom videoconfe­rence interview as shops across the Far North begin to come back online.

VPG ran the event in partnershi­p with the Australian Retailers Associatio­n, Cairnsbase­d web developmen­t company Precedence and Federal Government employment facilitato­r Tamilyn Brennan to give employers easy access to a pool of qualified candidates.

“With Cairns unemployme­nt rates surging amid the coronaviru­s pandemic, events like this are particular­ly important for our economic recovery,” Ms Brennan said.

“While companies have been using online recruiting with increasing frequency over recent years, we believe an online group interview matching suitable candidates to roles in various businesses is an Australian first, and we are excited to see Cairns leading the way.”

VPG is a non-profit organisati­on that provides young job hunters with intensive pre-employment training to prepare them for the world of work.

The associatio­n’s chief executive officer Maryann Tranter said yesterday’s event was a chance for 12 of VPG’s students to exercise their newfound interviewi­ng skills – as well as other jobseekers.

All local employment providers were invited to participat­e.

“The Virtual Job Shop connects local businesses instantly with a pool of motivated and well-prepared candidates,” Ms Tranter said.

“This innovative approach enables young people to access opportunit­ies while supporting local businesses in these changing times.”

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 ?? Picture: STEWART McLEAN ?? MOTIVATED: Tasarla Hobbler, of Cairns North, Deborah Simpson, of Woree, and Ashton Hill, from Bentley Park, during the interviews.
Picture: STEWART McLEAN MOTIVATED: Tasarla Hobbler, of Cairns North, Deborah Simpson, of Woree, and Ashton Hill, from Bentley Park, during the interviews.

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