I have noticed in various forums, some members are a little concerned about finding work while on the road. I have added my little bit a few posts ago.
Currently my bride are I are in Mackay NQ running a motel for three months.
As a point of interest possibly for some members, in last Wednesday's (19/10/10) editon of the local rag, the Mackay Daily Mercury, I read with interest their leading stories: ____________________________________________________________________________ (front page headline) IN THE GRIP OF WORKERS WAR
The battle is on in the Mackay region to find skilled labour. The lure of rich mine jobs has put the pressure on industries to be innovated, in how they fill, and retain their work forces.
(Page 6 sub headline) Battle to find elusive skilled workers
Competition for skilled employees is getting so hot in Mackay, workers might as well be interviewing their prospective bosses. As the region prepares to welcome an expanded Canelands central, which will make way for an estimated 1000 jobs, the retail sector is expected to scramble to attract employees.
But retail workers are not the only ones in demand: tradespeople, childcare workers, hospitality workers, and those in the sugar and agriculture industries are highly sought after.
A Chamber of Commerce spokesperson said, "An enormous skills shortage was looming for the retail sector, which will hit us in 2011, with two shopping centre expansions, plus a new Bunning's, and also a Home Makers centre planned at the northern beaches. "Retail is going to become be very, very tough to find staff".
Local employers are finding it very hard to find employees, and are continually bring in extra incentives to attract staff. "The situation is, if we don't introduce incentives, the prospective employees will just go to mining industry and drive a truck for $100.000 a year, with four (days) on and four (days) off roster." said the spokesperson. "Also the shortage of child care workers added to the Mackay region's employment problems, prompting many parents to stay at home, and look after their children."
The sugar and agriculture industries are also struggling to attract and retain skilled workers, with many people opting for the higher paying working in the mining industry. _____________________________________________________________________
However from me this time, Mackay is also suffering from accommodation availability. Rents are astronomical, caravan parks are bulging at the seams. Also talking to a miner from Moranbah recently, which is one of the major mining towns in the Bowen Basin, the going rate for rent is between $1000 and $1400 a week. So there is always a down side to boom.
I appreciate that most of us are traveling and don't want to be tied down for a period of time, but there is a strong demand, especially in hospitality, just to work seasons.
Hope that helps troops
Cheers & beers
VK Greenie
-- Edited by vkgreenie on Thursday 21st of October 2010 05:36:01 PM
__________________
Come along on our travels now on Face Book. The Retro Roamers
Hi VK Greenie Thanks for the great info in the article, nice to know there is work for those that want or have to as I think the day for hitchin up is getting closer, by the day, pardon the pun, but this is exactly the sort of info we need, come on nomads keep it coming, am storing it all in the grey matter, oops did it again. Pauline
I was just reading one of the blogs I follow, and they too were a little apprehensive about the work thingy. Yep on the coast a bit tough, but once over the great divide its all go. These folks pulled up at a CP, and the lady had job within minutes. She now is working two jobs in the one town.
If you are happy to clean, caravan parks will fight over ya! If hubby wants to be a garbologist, or mow lawns, and do general maintenance there is plenty of that too.
Don't worry about it. This time last year we had no idea what would happen in 2010, and you know how our year panned out.
As I said before just bite the bullet. No good being the richest person in the cemetery.
CYA
vkgreenie
__________________
Come along on our travels now on Face Book. The Retro Roamers
That's very interesting. Since I decided to return to the work scene I've upskilled with 3 new tickets. "Never too old to learn", they say. I searched around and kept my options open, and am now looking forward to starting work in Adelaide, when I get there in about a month. It's still a matter of being prepared to work, and not be too selective or having ambitions which are a bit beyond capabilities. I'm too old to be ambitious, but I'm not too old to work, although these days cleaning is a bit beyond me physically. The mining boom has prompted greedy landlords and property managers to hike rents up to an unpredented high on this side and the western side of the country. The Pilbara mining industry has pushed prices up too high because the companies have acquired caravan parks for miner's accommodation because no land is being released and allocated for new development, especially in Pt. Hedland and Karatha. In Pt. Hedland they're using the former detention centre as miner's accommodation. The Whim Creek Pub also fell victim to mining and there is no caravan park anymore. Mackay seemed to have a similar situation. Unfortunately rents for the "common folk", not working in the mining industry, are unaffordable. It's all very unbalanced. But the work is out there and I think van life ensures affordable accommodation. All the best to those who plan to work as they travel. What a life!!!!
__________________
20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
We're originally from mackay and hadn't been home for 4 years found park rates very expensive, we stayed out at Hay Point very good park, $140 per week clean heaps of room, on the beach, but is closing at the end of the year. The publican has the lease on the land at the moment but the mines want the land back so his lease won't be renewed, Went to seaforth, my parents had a house there and the free camp ground was standing room only in school holidays, it now has a security gate $90 week still no powered sites, they forget not everyone is on a miners wage, some of the parks in town are $250 per week. Gone inland now Hughenden $140, heading to Winton tomorrow for a few nights $20 pn, then to Longreach and staying at Ilfracombe $144 week, not sure after that.
