Australian department store Myer is joining other major businesses in a national initiative aimed to crack down on the 32,200 job vacancies in the retail sector.
Commercial real estate firm QIC will host a Jobs Fair in 19 of its shopping centres across Australia in August for the second consecutive year. The event will offer prospective candidates access to over 2,500 potential local jobs from more than 90 interested retailers ahead of the peak Christmas period.
Dedicated spaces for face-to-face interviews will be available at most events, with candidates encouraged to register in advance through individual centre websites. Walk-in candidates will also be considered on an individual basis, and smaller centres will set up 'pop-up' kiosks to address recruitment inquiries.
To ensure accessibility, a virtual job board will be available for candidates who are unable to attend in-person interviews.
Myer has expressed interest in this year’s Jobs Fair alongside McDonalds, Sephora, Pandora, Endota Spa and Hoyts. The event launched on August 8 and will continue through to September 16.
According to QIC, last year's Jobs Fair supported over 100 retailers and reached nearly 20,000 job seekers.
"Following the tremendous success of last year's event, we're thrilled to see this year's Jobs Fair expand across our portfolio to assist individuals looking for work,” QIC Real Estate GM of shopping centres Stephen Dewaele said.
"Right now, the retail sector has over 32,000 job vacancies, and we hope the QIC Jobs Fair helps alleviate the pressures faced by both retailers and prospective job seekers as we approach the busy Christmas period, one of the most significant times in the retail calendar.”
In recent data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in early July, more than 234,000 retail workers did not change jobs over the last year to February 2023. Compared to pre-pandemic (February 2020), this has trended up by 66,000.
There are also upward trends in retail workers changing occupations with the same employer at the same skill level (now at 24,900 from 14,400 pre-pandemic), and those working in a job with the same status in employment as 12 months ago (now 71,600 from 57,200 pre-pandemic).
The 32,200 recorded vacancies in retail from the May 2023 quarter are down from a peak 49,900 in the November 2022 quarter. However, it is up from 29,100 recorded in the February 2022 quarter, while down from 36,400 recorded in the February 2023 quarter.
“Considering the current conditions, the QIC Jobs Fair serves as a timely platform for local jobseekers to engage directly with businesses operating within our centres, offering genuine employment prospects as well as valuable in-person learning experiences,” Dewaele said.
QIC has also partnered with Australian disability and aged care organisation Feros Care, which will launch a major recruitment drive for its constituents.