Australia has been very lucky with COVID, with very low rates of
infections and deaths. While some of this may be due to its geographic isolation
from the rest of the world, it is also largely due to government lockdowns.
Many areas, including Sydney & Melbourne, are suffering lockdowns again
now. While this has had many impacts on the economy, one specific problem is
that it has produced a shortage of workers for the hospitality industry. It is
due to this, that I decided to write this article, after a few people have
reached out to me to ask if I am, or anyone I know is, looking for a job as a
sommelier.
Australia is a
big, relatively wealthy country, and although the borders are still closed and
tourists cannot visit, similarly, Aussies cannot leave. So, we are seeing a big
demand with Aussies looking to go out, and restaurants and events are
frequently booked out. This seems fantastic for venue owners, and amazing for
the economy, but restaurants are suffering a different problem. The majority of
people who were working in this sector were international students, or skilled
workers from overseas. With borders closed, these people cannot enter and take
these positions.
“More
than 46.000 hospitality jobs are currently advertised but industry leaders say
the real shortage may be much higher.” A shortage of skilled workers from overseas is
threatening the recovery of Australia's hospitality sector (sbs.com.au)
Many Aussies working in the hospitality industry have lost
their jobs due to COVID, and many are not keen to return, feeling there is no
security there right now. Every time a new lockdown commences, businesses close
their doors and workers lose their jobs. To try to combat these problems, the
government has removed restrictions on foreign students who remain in the
country, allowing them to work more than the usual limit of 20 hours per week…
but it is not enough. Restaurant managers, chefs and sommeliers are in demand
in Australia. Below are some messages I have received recently by LinkedIn.
With all of this in mind, and
thinking what I can do to help, I have launched the first Australian Wine
Course in the Portuguese language - a short course that gives an overview of
Australian Wines and the Australian Wine Market. It is designed to be one of
the steps to help Brazilians, like me, to work in the hospitality industry in
Australia. Having knowledge about Australian wines is a
great advantage and is desirable for a lot of Australian companies. I really
hope I can help both sides with this course, Australia with more skilled
workers, and Brazilians to have more opportunities in Australia.
More
information about the course can be found here: