Smiling office workers

With much of Australia scaling back restrictions late last year leading to a surge in COVID-19 cases, many businesses have done it tough over the summer months.

One of the most unexpected and serious issues for business has been staff shortages, with virus cases and isolation restrictions decimating the workforce across a range of sectors. 

But with falling cases and an underlying air of confidence returning to consumers, some experts are predicting a rapid rebound in the coming months. 

This promises to be a double edged sword for many businesses. While the economic rebound will be welcomed, staff shortages will continue to plague the workforce as long as the virus continues to circulate. 

The good news is there are a number of ways businesses can protect against staff shortages, giving them a much needed boost in the face of adversity.  

The temporary solution

In the coming months, it’s highly likely that your business will need a regular, on-call workforce for when staff shortages strike. This will ensure you have ‘ready to work’ staff to fill gaps when the need arises.

Developing a relationship with an employment agency like Maxima can help you find the right temporary staff quickly. Best of all, they do all the sourcing and screening of candidates, leaving you to focus on the important task of running your business. 

Longer term, they will also be able to help you readily access a job prepared permanent workforce if that’s something you need as the economy strengthens. 

Access incentives

With governments recognising many businesses have experienced challenges in the last few years, they have put in place, or boosted, programs with generous incentives to help employees find and retain the right people.

Accessing these programs will help you tap into a valuable pool of talent to fill immediate needs in your business. 

One such program is the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program – a wage subsidy put in place by the Federal Government to support employers to take on new trainees or apprentices. 

The $1.2 billion wage subsidy enables employers to receive a wage subsidy of up to 50% if they take on an apprentice or trainee between 5th October 2020 and 31st March 2022.

Maxima can help you make the most of the subsidy, and can also assist with helping you to advertise and recruit, shortlist and interview, taking care of the paperwork and payroll, as well as ongoing mentoring and support. 

Another Federal Government program that may be right for your business is the Disability Employment Services (DES) program, which offers employees with an illness, disability or health condition an opportunity to get back into the workplace. 

For employers, the benefits of taking on employees through the DES program are immense. People with disability are loyal and committed employees, and generally take fewer days off, less sick leave and stay longer in jobs than other workers. 

There are also generous incentives available for employers including financial assistance, training and mentoring, access to workplace modifications and administrative help. 

Job ready workforce

Accessing a workforce through an employment agency ensures you’re more likely to find employees who can walk into your business and get started quickly, meaning you can focus on other priorities. 

Additionally, you’ll have the comfort of knowing that they’ve been through a rigorous interview and screening process, so to a large degree, you know what to expect once they come into your business. 

Other benefits of getting an employment agency involved to help you find your workforce include having access to a larger pool of talent, a faster hiring process and access to employees with specialist skills or knowledge. 

Staff shortages and tough business conditions have meant the last few months have been difficult for many businesses. But when it comes to your workforce, you don’t have to go it alone. Contact Maxima today for a no obligation chat with one of our consultants and let us help you with all your recruitment needs.