Notes

Top 10 - health and medical (377); trades and services (284); hospitality and tourism (231); community services (150); retail (139); government and defence (116); manufacturing, transport and logistics (112); education and training (102); admin (88); construction (74).
Bull and Bear - We're looking forward to opening up but having some troubles finding staff. Can only assume people have moved away from the industry, or they're happy to continue getting payment, I;m not sure what's going on. Had an inkling it would be challenging because we had the same issue last year after lockdown, and because we didn't have jobkeeper this year weren;t able to keep on as many staff as last year, and had to meet criteria for jobsaver payment. a lot of the staff i had on were new so they weren't included. Limited to our full time and part time staff which we managed to hold onto but were already understaffed from ast years lockdowns. Managed with skeleton staff through lockdown, but now it's time to reopen it;s been quite challenging. A good few weren't eligible and once lockdowns started some staff had managed to acquire during that period had gone into another field, which is entirely understandable. They were keen to work. We have had a couple of students come through but can be challenging to balance with uni, they have other priorities, hard to write rosters around timetables. Hard to find people who are hospitality oriented, students don;t see it as a career path as such, which is why I think there is such a shortage. I;ve been in the industry for over 20 years and has been a gradual decline, less and less people willing to work in kitchens, front of house has been easier until recently. Chefs and apprentices, kitchenhands. We're looking for kitchenhands, first and second year apprentices, baristas, wait staff, cafe all-rounders. David Vidal.
Stockland Shellharbour is pleased to welcome a number of exciting new retailers to the centre this month.
The new stores will include Genki Massage, Tree of Life and City Chic will also be relocating within the centre, and both will be expanding their stores.
Australian-owned 24-hour gym franchise Stepz Fitness is looking forward to officially opening its largest ever facility at Stockland Shellharbour on Monday, 11 October.
Sam Waller, Managing Director and franchisor, said: "We're thrilled to be opening our 16th club at Stockland Shellharbour, which will also be our largest Stepz facility yet, at 500 square metres.
"Stepz is all about creating an enjoyable, non-intimidating, no-ego environment where people feel comfortable to train and focus on their health and fitness goals. We're confident that this will resonate with our clients, and that they'll love the friendly and motivated environment at the new Shellharbour location."
Daniel Buchanan, Centre Manager at Stockland Shellharbour, said that the team has worked hard to ensure strength and diversity in the new retailers coming in.
"Our team has listened to what the community wants to see at our centre and responded by securing a really great mix of national brands and up-and-comers that will we know customers will love.
"We're proud to be the Illawarra's largest shopping centre and to be such an attractive place for retailers of all kinds to open and operate in the area. These new retailers are a testament to our strong performance as a centre, and how supportive the community is of its local businesses."
The new stores are expected to open by the end of October 2022. Fresh Soul is also expected to open in November 2021.

Illawarra jobs boom

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

Zoe Cartwright

Get the latest Wollongong news in your inbox