Pop-up job shop opens in Invercargill
Looking for a job may have got a step easier this week, with the Southland Pop Up Job Shop opening in Invercargill.
From Monday until Saturday, people will be able to look up job listings and get employment advice from the shop on Tay St.
Initially developed by Venture Southland chief executive Paul Casson, the initiative is a collaboration between Venture Southland, Southern Directionz Career Consultants and the Southland Chamber of Commerce.
The aim of the project is to attract more workers into Southland.
Venture Southland labour market project co-ordinator Therese Doyle said there were between 250 and 350 jobs available in Southland every week. ‘‘I don’t think people realise how many jobs there are out there.’’ Doyle said.
‘‘The labour market research undertaken by Venture Southland clearly indicates the need for initiatives such as this to ensure that those 250 vacancies are filled.
‘‘The 2017 Southland Business Survey results showed while confidence had increased within the Southland business community, attraction of staff was listed as the top issue - likely to affect 54 per cent [of] businesses in the next three years.’’
As part of the initiative, a centralised jobs portal was launched on the southlandnz.com website, which will become the focal point of the scheme from next week.
Doyle said the website would include job listings from Trade Me, Seek and major industries such as Fonterra.
‘‘It will be a really good tool. At any one time, a person can go to one place to get an overview of all the jobs available in Southland.’’
The jobs portal would continue permanently after the pop-Up job shop closes and will be further developed by Venture Southland, Doyle said.
Throughout the week, Southern Directionz will be at the pop-up shop to provide advice to would-be job seekers.
Southern Directionz managing director Dave McKissock said staff would be on hand to provide advice on CVs, applying for jobs, and the key aspects of effective job seeking.
‘‘There’s a large number of community members who don’t know how to actually apply for a job.
‘‘It’s about making people aware of where the jobs are and what’s out there.’’
Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt was present for the official opening of the centre yesterday.
‘‘Everyone’s focused on what’s online these days, but people still like to physically come in, have a look and talk to somebody.
‘‘For making that initial contact it’s a great idea, even in this hitech day and age.’’
The pop-up shop will be open 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-2pm on Saturday.