Agency Says Livestock Jobs More Popular Than Ever
AUSTRALIA - The head of a rural employment agency says the demand for jobs in the livestock industry has increased dramatically, and is the busiest he has ever seen it.According to Dugald Storie from Bush Recruitment, the increase is partly due to high cattle prices, as many stations are expanding and investing in the property, meaning they need more employees.
Mr Storie said as stations approached their second round of mustering it had also become busier, according to ABC News.
"It's been full on for the first part because they've been held up by the wet weather and so forth, so people are starting to look now for more experienced station hands to kick off for the second round of mustering," he said.
"Back in December and January I had about 6,500 applications so I was run off my feet. It was quite incredible; I've never seen anything like it."
He said the increase in popularity for station work grew as the market got confidence back.
"I think that there's probably been a misconception in the past, probably due to the drought and the closure of the live export trade. I think now that the industry has found its feet, it has caught people unaware," he said.
"Things in the beef industry are looking very strong, and looking very strong for the next few years.
"People are jumping on the wagon and they're realising that there is a very real career in the rural industry."
All types of staff wanted
Mr Storie said cattle stations, sheep producers and the wool industry were the main employers looking for staff, and it was difficult to determine which jobs people wanted to do the most.
"How long is a piece of string? They're all fairly popular."
"I have had a big rush on for cooks. I've actually managed to place more cooks this year than I've ever placed before. I think I'm up to about 20.
"[But] generally it's across the board. At this time of the year, staff that are really quite difficult to find is people with one year or two years behind them."
However, Mr Storie said trends came and went.
"That will all change. It tends to all change around the end of June," he said.
"People are wanting to step out of where they are for whatever reason and move onto something else."
TheCattleSite News Desk