For the second consecutive year Hinkler Central is presenting its Jobs Fair offering prospective candidates the opportunity to access over 30 potential local jobs ahead of the busy Christmas retail period.
Held from August 29 to September 2 the Hinkler Central Jobs Fair provides a wide range of full-time, part-time, and casual positions across the retail spectrum, encompassing many fashion and lifestyle brands.
In partnership with Department of Education’s Link and Launch program, Bundaberg Regional Council and Jobs Bundaberg, the Jobs Fair will connect local people with a range of prospective jobs and provide access to both virtual and on-site recruitment support services.
Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey said the Jobs Fair created a fantastic opportunity to connect employers with community members who were seeking work.
“It’s fantastic Hinkler Central is presenting this Jobs Fair not just to meets the retail needs within the centre but in the wider Bundaberg Region,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“The whole of the region has had the highest participation of workforce in recorded history.
“This is the second Jobs Fair and it’s definitely kick start careers.
“We have already seen success as people who came to this fair last year who are now employed full time simple because they were able to sit down with a professional and gain interview and resume building skills.”
Hinkler Central Centre Manager Renee Pukallus said the event comes at a crucial time for both job seekers and retail partners with the retail sector having over 32,000 job vacancies nationally.
“Following the tremendous success of last year's event at Hinkler Central, we're thrilled to see the Jobs Fair return this year to assist local individuals looking for work,” Renee said.
“Right now, there are a significant number of roles to fill, and we hope our Jobs Fair event helps alleviate the pressures faced by our retailers and local prospective job seekers as we approach the busy Christmas period.”
Renee said recent research indicated almost one million Australians were working multiple jobs – a 10 per cent increase compared to 2022.
Monthly hours worked have also risen significantly with Australians now working over 1.9 million hours per month.
This trend may be attributed to the rising cost of living, as Living Cost Indexes have increased by 9.6 per cent over the past twelve months.
In a first for Hinkler Central, the Jobs Fair is featuring Feros Care as a key partner, expanding its reach to include recruitment support for the care and disability services.
Feros Care, renowned for its comprehensive range of aged care and disability support, is launching a major recruitment drive in the industry.
It aims to source passionate candidates to meet the increasing demand and ensure the sector thrives with skilled professionals.
Feros Care general manager people experience Melissa Duffey said she was excited to be partnering with Hinkler Central’s Jobs Fair event.
“Feros Care is pleased to participate in the Jobs Fair initiative, inviting local jobseekers to join our team of care trailblazers and be a part of something bold, innovative, and meaningful,” she said.
“A career with Feros enables individuals to make a real difference by creating a brighter future for seniors and those living with disability.
“Embracing inclusiveness and diversity in our workforce, it’s that unique mix of individuality and employee passion shaping the extraordinary care experiences we provide.
“With a broad mix of job opportunities and an ageing population, aged care isn’t going anywhere. We’re looking for bold, individuals who want to do something that matters with Feros Care”.
During the Jobs Fair a dedicated space for face-to-face interviews is available and job seekers are encouraged to register in advance through the centre website.
Walk-in candidates will also be considered on an individual basis. To ensure accessibility, a virtual job board will be available for candidates who are unable to attend in-person interviews.
Service providers available throughout the week include Matchworks, Busy at Work, Headspace, Yourtown, Assistance Industry Resourcing and BHP.
For more information on the Jobs Fair click here.
- Other news: Our Stories Our Places provides heritage support
