IMS and Vanuatu Pathways partner to assist with skilled worker shortages
- Written by: Tess Sanders Lazarus
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between International Mobility Services (IMS) and Vanuatu Pathways to increase labour supply capacity across Australia. This groundbreaking formal partnership between the organisations will facilitate the availability of job ready people to fill critical skill shortages being experienced across Australia due to the impact of COVID related closed borders.
“Governments need to respond urgently to the critical skills shortages and delays due to COVID-19. Skill shortages plague many regional and remote areas of Australia with employers urgently requiring workers to assist with operations and their business. This MoU between IMS and Vanuatu Pathways is a step in the right direction towards building the capacity of workers between countries,” IMS CEO, Marcia Kelly said.
“While IMS has pre-screened candidates ready to mobilise to Australia to assist with specific industry work and skill shortages from existing partnerships with Timor-Leste, this new arrangement will provide an additional source of job ready workers available to come to Australia from Vanuatu.
“Many Australian industries that have previously relied on overseas workers and backpackers to complement their workforce are struggling to operate and function at full capacity due to closed borders. This partnership will provide Australian regional employers with access to workers from within the pacific region and importantly deliver job and economic benefits to one of Australia’s most valued regional neighbours.
“IMS and Vanuatu Pathways are working together to develop an extensive COVID safe plan for all workers to assist them on their arrival to Australia. Vanuatu is COVID free so the support will assist them to navigate through the challenges of working in a country with COVID to keep them safe and well during their time working in Australia.”
IMS, a Timor-Leste registered company based in Dili, is part of the Philotimo Group founded by respected Australian entrepreneur and industry stalwart, Themelina Kassiou, affectionately known as Tammy Kassiou. The Philotimo Group overarches a number of complementary businesses, providing leadership, expertise and services across the training and job placement sector to a broad range of industries. Two of these businesses, IMS and ISAT play key roles in supporting local content initiatives, skills development and furthering sustainable social, environmental and economic development through partnerships with government and industry sectors.
According to the cofounder of Vanuatu Pathways, Joanne Wade, the organisation provides recruitment out of Vanuatu for industries in Australia that require skilled workers on a temporary basis. It recruits from all islands and locations in Vanuatu.
“We are thrilled to have entered into this agreement with Vanuatu Pathways. Our two organisations have been built and founded upon incredibly similar values and visions, which is why we are a natural fit. We see the partnership benefitting both countries enormously,” Kelly added.
“Our work has focused on the seasonal worker program for the past five years providing opportunities for many people across Vanuatu to source employment overseas,” Wade said.
“We match skills and interests to roles and opportunities with employers in Australia. The outcome is that we are able to provide much needed job opportunities to the people of Vanuatu while also providing employers in need of assistance with talented and enthusiastic workers. Australian employers across a number of industries including crocodile farming, chicken farming, wine growing, horticulture and agriculture, and hospitality, desperately need workers to help them maintain and grow their operations.
“Through our partnership with IMS, we will be offering job ready support to candidates once they complete mandatory interviews and screening. Successful candidates then receive a letter of offer from an Australian Approved Employer. We then assist and support each candidate to make sure they are ready to head down under.”
As a result of the new partnership, IMS and Vanuatu Pathways will be able to put in place all the relevant systems required to support the recruitment, training and placement of Vanuatu workers in Australia.
“With the dire state of Australia’s number of job ready regional workers, most Vanuatu Pathway positions are in horticulture, with some also in agriculture and tourism,” Wade emphasised.
“The program involves job placements for up to nine months. When workers return to Vanuatu, they are considered highly skilled and reputable workers that have the opportunity to return to Australia or utilise the new training in Vanuatu.”
“We look forward to activating our partnership with Vanuatu Pathways because it will give the Vanuatu population a once in a lifetime opportunity to receive paid work experience in Australia and Australian farmers will also benefit from dedicated workers who appreciate the opportunity and are eager to work hard,” Kelly continued.
“The last thing we want to see is more fruit rotting on the ground because Australian farmers can’t access temporary workers to manage their fields due to border closures. This new partnership will solve this for many farmers and other business operators across the country.
“With the proposed imminent inclusion of Vanuatu as part of Australia’s travel bubble, this will make the program even more effective for workers and employers.”
IMS and ISAT collaborate to provide end to end recruitment, skills development, work ready and labour solutions globally for their clients. Collectively IMS and ISAT provide people with the skills and capabilities necessary for job readiness, access to international opportunities, employment and career development. ISAT and IMS supports participants to pursue independence and personal growth through developing people to achieve personal and business goals
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