1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:02,440 Speaker 1: Now I understand that there has been a bit of 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:05,760 Speaker 1: an announcement made this morning when it comes to our 3 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:09,799 Speaker 1: workforce shortage within hospitality as I understand it. Now, joining 4 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:11,720 Speaker 1: me on the line to tell us a little bit 5 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 1: more is the CEO of Hospitality NT Alex Bruce. Good morning, 6 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: Good morning Katie, Alex. Have you guys been out making 7 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:21,320 Speaker 1: a bit of an announcement this morning? 8 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 2: What's going on? Yeah, Along with the Minister for International 9 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:31,040 Speaker 2: Education Maria kitt Ben and the as Luke Champions Down 10 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:35,200 Speaker 2: a Kindness Shake, Director of Liquor Licensing Feel Timney and us, 11 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 2: we were able to announce today that we've created a 12 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 2: RSA course online for free, specifically for international students they've 13 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:48,040 Speaker 2: been The backstory to this is that there've been many 14 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 2: years of frustration in the international student community in the 15 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 2: Northern Territory. They haven't been able to access the online 16 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 2: RSA courses that everyone needs to come work with us 17 00:00:57,520 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 2: when you're dealing with alcohol, you know, responsible service about 18 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 2: whole So it's been quite a barrier if they're studying 19 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:08,920 Speaker 2: hospitality related courses as part of their international student requirements. 20 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:13,120 Speaker 2: That they did have a pathway and there were a 21 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:18,200 Speaker 2: erratic and expensive face to face courses done for them 22 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:21,039 Speaker 2: from time to time. Often there was a disconnect and 23 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:25,480 Speaker 2: a delay. So luckily cooler heads have prevailed and this 24 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 2: morning we've been how to launch a website with the 25 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:34,120 Speaker 2: online course specifically for them, with local territory specific course content, 26 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:36,480 Speaker 2: you know, be and drinkers registered and enough them and 27 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:39,399 Speaker 2: full price and all those other lovely policies that we 28 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 2: have to deal within our industry up here. So you know, 29 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:45,399 Speaker 2: the Minister was saying, I think there's just show of 30 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:48,560 Speaker 2: three thousand international students in the territory at the moment, 31 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 2: and you know a lot of them are doing law 32 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 2: courses or health courses or accountancy courses. So this open 33 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 2: very easy way to get get what they need. To 34 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:03,080 Speaker 2: jump on out side of the bar and help us out. 35 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:06,040 Speaker 1: And so Alex, how is it, when's it all going 36 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 1: to get underway? And how many international students are you 37 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:10,519 Speaker 1: expecting might be involved. 38 00:02:12,160 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 2: It's live as well this morning. It's spreading already like 39 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:20,200 Speaker 2: wildfire through that international student community. They're quite a tight 40 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 2: knit community, particularly over the last two years. You know, 41 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,799 Speaker 2: they've unfortunately had quite a tough trot and they've pulled 42 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:29,640 Speaker 2: together credit to them, and there's been many businesses as 43 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 2: well that have helped them out over the last two 44 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 2: years as well, so you know, they know what they're doing. 45 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 2: And yeah, we were hearing, unfortunately this morning, horror stories 46 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 2: of some of them having to jump on planes to 47 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 2: Brisbane to go and do the course a couple of 48 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 2: years ago. So we're just nipping all of that in 49 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:46,680 Speaker 2: the bud. We're getting rid of some red tape and 50 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:50,160 Speaker 2: some barriers. Yeah, you know, you're listens are well aware 51 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:53,040 Speaker 2: that everywhere they go they can see the workforce shortages 52 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 2: that we're all trying to tackle. So well, that's exactly 53 00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 2: another little one that we can try and help with. 54 00:02:57,520 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 3: You know. 55 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:00,960 Speaker 1: And so look how many how big a difference do 56 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 1: you think that this could potentially make. I mean, I 57 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 1: guess at the point where it is such a shortage 58 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: that any help is going to be much appreciated, I 59 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 1: would assume. 60 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 2: Absolutely. 61 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:17,120 Speaker 3: And the next intake of international students, you know, at 62 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:18,920 Speaker 3: the beginning of the year, we sat down with a 63 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 3: bunch of our employers down at WARF one and the 64 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,639 Speaker 3: international student cohort that were coming for Semister one. 65 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 2: More than half of them are rocking up without having RSAs, 66 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 2: even though there are employers in the room that are 67 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:32,160 Speaker 2: just chomping at the bit to put them on the 68 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:35,200 Speaker 2: books and on the roster. So you know, the next 69 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 2: intake following the school holidays coming up, we think we'll 70 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 2: be able to get this rolled out quite quickly and 71 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 2: get them working. You've got that fantastic new facility seat 72 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 2: to you in the city being built specifically targeting business 73 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 2: and law international students. So over time we see this 74 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 2: as just an easy way to sync up with them. 75 00:03:55,880 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 2: They're here to study first and foremost we appreciate that, 76 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 2: but many, many of and want to be able to work. 77 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 2: Hospitality is good for students, you know, whether you're international 78 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 2: or local. You can do your coursework during the day 79 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 2: and that you can jump behind the bar at night 80 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:11,120 Speaker 2: and help us out. So yeah, it was just a 81 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 2: bit of a no brainer from our perspective. 82 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:15,360 Speaker 1: Well, we are going to be catching up with Ben 83 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 1: Perveda Alfonso in just a little while as well to 84 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:20,039 Speaker 1: talk a bit more about the Kindness Shake and some 85 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:21,839 Speaker 1: of the work that they do, so I will find 86 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:24,840 Speaker 1: out from his perspective how big a difference this is 87 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 1: going to make for some of those international students. But 88 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 1: you know, how are things going at the moment, Alex. 89 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 1: When it comes to hospitality, I know it's been incredibly 90 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:37,599 Speaker 1: busy on the weekend for the Supercars. It just seemed 91 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 1: as though we had an absolute influx of people. 92 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:44,600 Speaker 2: Absolutely and how good is it seeing these festivals running 93 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:48,719 Speaker 2: at full tilt again after a couple of interrupted years. 94 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 2: So we're looking forward to a strong Racing Cup Carnival, 95 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 2: We're looking forward to a very strong Darwin Festival. All 96 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 2: of these people, you know, like I'm aware on Pup 97 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 2: Carnival Day they'll need over a thousand bar on that 98 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:04,880 Speaker 2: they recruit. So shout out to everyone listening of all ages. 99 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:07,840 Speaker 2: There's pathways we can assist you and getting whatever documentation 100 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:11,880 Speaker 2: you need. Come come join the fun on our side 101 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:14,760 Speaker 2: of the bar. It's a double saving. You're earning money 102 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 2: and you're not spending it drinking. A bit of a 103 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:19,360 Speaker 2: double whammy there. 104 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:21,720 Speaker 1: Bit of a shout out for workers this morning. By 105 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 1: the sounds of it, Alex Bruce, it sounds like they 106 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: are going to be absolutely required throughout the whole dry season, 107 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 1: just about. 108 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 2: Absolutely and first and foremost, you know, we want people 109 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:36,240 Speaker 2: considering us for skills and longer term jobs. But we've 110 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 2: got casual jobs, we've got part time jobs, we've got 111 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 2: those event jobs. We want great power, we want international students. 112 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 2: We want anyone that's sitting on the couts or has 113 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 2: an adolescent sitting on the couts, get them into our 114 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:48,800 Speaker 2: industry and a way we go. 115 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:51,760 Speaker 1: Hey, just before I let you go. You know, obviously 116 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:55,600 Speaker 1: there has been discussion as well about bringing international well 117 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 1: people across internationally or you know, different visa requirements and 118 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:02,159 Speaker 1: things like that so people can get back to work. 119 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:04,200 Speaker 1: Do you think we're going to see some movement in 120 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 1: this space? You know, we've got a new federal minister. 121 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:08,640 Speaker 1: I know that there is a bit of work happening 122 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:09,520 Speaker 1: behind the scenes. 123 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 2: I look, we hope. So we didn't send anyone, but 124 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:16,599 Speaker 2: we participated in the delegation that the Law Mayor took 125 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:21,040 Speaker 2: over to Denvers. We've had follow up conversations with the Chamber, 126 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 2: Tourism top end, the Chief Minister out of the track 127 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 2: on the weekend. You know, it's all well and good 128 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 2: for the federal government to be talking about potentially four 129 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:34,039 Speaker 2: thousand additional visa workers from Indonesia as an example, They're 130 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:36,720 Speaker 2: going to have to do something about the English Test 131 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 2: if they're going to be serious about it, And yeah, 132 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:42,560 Speaker 2: I'll put to the Chief Minister or if there's four 133 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:45,720 Speaker 2: thousand nationally, we should be saying the NT once a 134 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:48,000 Speaker 2: thousand of those things And she said, why only a thousand, 135 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:50,720 Speaker 2: we should go for two. I agree. So you know, 136 00:06:51,760 --> 00:06:56,039 Speaker 2: there is a strong sense of collaboration across the levels 137 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:58,719 Speaker 2: of government and industry across the territory. But we really 138 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:02,080 Speaker 2: do need to be pushing for a Northern Australia solution 139 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 2: in camera. Yeah, otherwise this whole Sydney and Melbourne is full, 140 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 2: just seems to swamp these issues way too regularly. 141 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, Hey, what's this requirement with the English Test? What 142 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: do you want to see? What needs to change or 143 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 1: what needs to happen here? 144 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 2: Oh, look, it gets quite complex quite quickly, and you 145 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,240 Speaker 2: need one of those disclaimers about please see your own 146 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 2: migration agents advice. But some of the English tests are 147 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 2: to owner us for our workers for some of those 148 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 2: places like Indonesia, to really ramp up how many people 149 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 2: we could be welcoming alongside us in our community as territorians. 150 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 2: And you know, I know you're talking to Ben soon, 151 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:40,680 Speaker 2: but these people go on to be very valued members 152 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:43,160 Speaker 2: of the territory and community for many many years, so 153 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 2: I see them as first Australians as opposed to migrants. 154 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:50,000 Speaker 1: Well, Alex, no doubt there'll be some movement in this 155 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:52,320 Speaker 1: space hopefully. Let us know you know when you get 156 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 1: a bit of an update. We always appreciate your time though, 157 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 1: thanks for chatting this morning. 158 00:07:57,160 --> 00:07:58,080 Speaker 2: He's Patty all the best. 159 00:07:58,120 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 1: Thank you.