New England businesses finding it 'extremely difficult' to find skilled workers

Attracting workers with the correct education or training to Tamworth is proving difficult for many, and when they do arrive the competition for their signature is fierce.

Companies such as Obieco Industries, which operates out of Taminda, have found it very challenging to get skilled workers through the door, despite having a strong reputation having won prestigious training awards in recent years.

Human relations manager Fiona Sweeney said the shortage is hitting the business hard, with positions such as metal fabricators proving difficult to fill even though the demand for its product is at an all time high.

"The demand for services from our region has increased over the last year to 18 months and here at Obieco we have certainly experienced unprecedented levels of sales," she said.

"We are at the moment trying to source not only qualified metal fabricators but even tradesperson assistants, those that haven't quite got their qualifications but have a few years experience up their sleeves.

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"And we're even struggling to find them."

In order to complete the amount of work required, they have even hired several adult apprentices this year, which has been a rarity in the past.

Ms Sweeney said the presence of several mines around the region has also made it difficult to attract skilled workers, with the resources industry simply outbidding places like Obieco.

"I think this region's close proximity to several mining operations certainly presents its challenge in terms of being able to match those salaries that the mining profession provides," she said.

"And that is a challenge across the industry locally here in Tamworth, and we lose quite a few potential staff to that mining region."

She said businesses are having to get creative in order to create the type of work environment that will turn the heads of qualified workers in order to avoid losing them to the mines.

Giving employees their birthdays off and finishing work just after lunchtime on Fridays are just some of the measures the company has had to go to in the hope of luring workers in.

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