GC APPEAL LURING WORKERS
WORKERS are flocking to the Gold Coast from interstate for a sea-change and to take advantage of the city’s enviable coastal lifestyle.
Simon Magnay, 18, from Casino in northern NSW moved to Ashmore for an apprenticeship in engineering and diesel fitting with boatbuilder Riviera Australia at Coomera.
“I’ve been working full-time here since the start of the year. I was pretty keen to work in an industry I’m interested in,” he said. “I’ve been around boats all of my life so I kind of wanted to keep at it.”
Mr Magnay was not surprised the Coast is in hot demand at the moment and he has been taking every opportunity to hit the water after shifts with the busy boatbuilder.
“It’s been a big change. Heaps more people around and lots more to do,” he said. “It’s great to be able to go crabbing after work, I’ll tell you that.”
Mr Magnay said the Coast was an attractive place to live, considering employment opportunities and its relatively laid back lifestyle.
“I like fishing a fair bit, so that’s probably the main attraction for me,” he said.
Mr Magnay said wages on the Coast were much more enticing than in regional NSW.
“The pay around here is so good compared to Casino,” he said.
“I’ve got mates down there and they’re a bit jealous of my wage, basically.”
Riviera – Australia’s largest yacht builder – has about 80 apprentices and accepts about 20 new apprentices each year, who are guided by a 600-strong team.
The boatbuilder has performed well in recent times despite COVID-19, and still has room for more apprentices – though any new recruits may struggle to find a place to live.
The rental vacancy rate on the Coast is less than one per cent as an influx of interstate migrants move in, while those looking to buy a property also face stiff competition.