If you have a spare room or a spare time, then you are the target audience for a campaign Central Otago District Council is launching this week to support local businesses to meet seasonal labour demand.
The ‘Spare Room, Spare Time’ campaign targets locals, and their friends and family from out of the district, to be a solution to the predicted seasonal labour shortage.
At the peak of demand in December and January, Central Otago requires approximately 6000 seasonal workers to assist in the horticulture, viticulture sectors for the summer season.
These staff would normally be sourced through the government-backed RSE scheme, international backpackers and, to a lesser extent, local youth, but COVID-19 restrictions mean for a second summer workers are harder to come by.
“We’re calling on Central Otago locals to invite your friends and family to come and experience a Central Otago summer ‘working holiday’.
Make up that spare bed and offer to put them up,” said Central Otago District Council Economic Development Manager Nick Lanham.
“Also, if you have some spare time yourself then we’d love to see our locals fill those vacancies too.”
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said having a “summer in Central is one of the great things to do in life.
We have amazing seasonal work opportunities and when the working day is done, there are the long, warm summer evenings to enjoy some time by the lake, a ride on one of our great bike trails or just spend social time with the new friends that will be made.
There really is no place that has our World of Difference – but don’t take my word for it. Come and find out for yourself.”
As part of the campaign Council will be producing ‘Wish you were here’ postcards, which will be available at local libraries, i-SITEs and service centres for people to pick up and send to friends and family with the invite to come and stay.
There will also be a social media video clip to watch out for on the Central Otago District Council and centralotagonz facebook pages to share widely.
Go to: centralotagonz.com/seasonal-work to learn more about seasonal work opportunities.
