Hotels start staff quest

Locals get early chance for 350 openings

CAIRNS residents will get first bite at 500 new hospitality jobs as Crystalbrook Collection’s three hotel developments nearing completion.

Job hunters will converge on the Esplanade this morning to find out how they can become part of the workforce.

Crystalbrook CEO Mark Davie needs to fill 150 positions within 100 days with the former Tradewinds Hotel redevelopment “Riley” opening in November. A further 350 jobs will be created over the next 18 months as hotels Bailey and Flynn prepare to open.

This morning’s recruitment drive will be an informal session to tell prospective staff about job opportunities.

“They can learn about our vision for the hotels and the culture that we want to implement,” he said.

“It’s not an interview or an appointment program.

“It will lead to a more formal presentation day, which will be in a theatre atmosphere.

“Then that leads to individual interviews.”

The lengthy process is designed to attract the right people for the job. Far Northerners will be given first preference for all positions.

“With everything we’ve done, our strategy has been to support the local community first,” Mr Davie said.

“That’s been in construction, early recruitment days of our management team, and now at an operational level.

“If we can fill the roles from the local community, that’s fantastic.

“But if we can’t, then people outside the local community will be more than welcome to join the organisation.”

Mr Davie suggested there were benefits to starting on the ground floor.

“Getting in at this level gives people an opportunity to join the Crystalbrook brand at an early stage,” he said.

“We will be looking at opportunities for those people who join us in the early days to advance through the organisation.”