While the effects of the global economic crisis continue to hit business hard, the Transit Australia Group (TAG) is enjoying
While the effects of the global economic crisis continue to hit business hard, the Transit Australia Group (TAG) is enjoying at least one side-benefit of the tight fiscal climate.
“During the boom times, particularly in the resource areas, we had big wages in the coal fields to compete with,” says TAG Joint Managing Director Wayne Patch.
“That really was interfering not only with drivers, but also with tradespersons who support our organisation.”
Patch says the competitive market made it very difficult for the group to attract quality employees. “We did have some significant problems keeping up.”
But the economic downturn has solved a lot of those issues, he says.
“We’ve got full books with our drivers currently, that’s not an issue whatsoever.
“We were recruiting qualified Philippine workers to come and work in our workshops – that was the only alternative we could find.
“We’ve not abandoned the program, but certainly, we’ve not required to bring anyone from overseas for the last few months.”
So for TAG it seems the skills shortage is a thing of the past … for now.