PAUL JUBB State President President’s Report
The most recent THA Workforce Plan was finalised in June 2016. The plan has a 5 year horizon and that depends on continued State Government funding. The THA Manager for Industry Skills and Workforce Development (Stephen Long) report, further into the magazine, will demonstrate in more detail the great works that are happening in this space, but I want to focus on one of the key actions that have been identified and endorsed by the THA Board. It has to be recognised that we have a need to expand our horizons as an industry in finding new employees and it’s great to see Steve and his crew at THA leading the way by employing a young bloke who is classified as a disability employee. His name is Ross Kent and he is pictured below:
A National Disability Service JobsABILITY initiative was launched at Parliament House on Friday 18th November. The following is from the press announcement: “The launch attracted over 80 attendees from parliament, state government, the business community and the disability employment sector. Guest Speaker, Stephen Long, from the Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) spoke of their newest staff member; 22-year-old Ross Kent, their new Social Media Analyst, working primarily in the THA Great Customer Experience Program. Stephen explained that Ross has grown quickly in the role and is always punctual, very reliable and fitted easily into the workplace. Ross was born with cerebral palsy but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a valued staff member of the THA. Among Ross’s duties, he analyses social media platforms
for customer engagement, and satisfaction, with Tasmanian Tourism and Hospitality venues. In particular, Ross focuses on customer interactions on TripAdvisor and Facebook. This information is valuable to businesses who undertake the Program to improve the customer experiences in their venues and build customer loyalty. Ross’s work enables Program presenters and venues to get a better picture of how venues are being experienced by customers and what facets of their social media engagement can be improved. This Social Media analysis is a key plank of the Program. The JobsABILITY initiative was officially launched by Minister Petrusma on behalf of Premier Will Hodgman. The launch establishes the importance of addressing workforce shortages by attracting all sectors of the labour market. National Disability Services (NDS) has developed the JobsABILITY initiative to support employers in addressing their labour supply challenge. JobsABILITY provides a pathway to securing work ready staff through their website and free 30 minute consultations. A number of Tasmanian industries have already put their support behind the JobsABILITY initiative including the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Tasmanian Hospitality Association, Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, TasICT and the Tasmanian Small Business Council. Tasmania has the highest rate of disability in the country at 25% yet only 46% of those of working age participate in the labour market. This means there is a pool of work ready people with a variety of skills and qualifications just like Ross. Loyalty, punctuality and a positive work ethic are some of the common attributes among people with disability.” As an industry we should all consider what opportunities we, as the third largest employing industry in the state, can provide. The THA Board endorses and supports this initiative, and we say to all employers, be they members or not: “take a chance – be surprised” Photo courtesy of the Mercury, Hobart
December 2016
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