BENDIGO'S hospitality and retail sectors would like to tap into an often overlooked section of the labour market: stay-at-home mums.
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A shortage of workers in the two industries caused by a perfect storm of COVID-19 related border closures and self-isolating employees is causing shops and eateries to shut their doors during peak trading periods.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies has estimated that one third of mothers, who have children under 15 years old, are a not in paid employment.
"The rate (in employment) remains below that of many other OECD countries, indicating that there may be potential for increases in maternal employment in Australia,'' it stated.
The Australian Hotels Association (AHA), Be.Bendigo and regional tourism figures are eager to encourage women - who may only be available for four hours per day - to apply for positions, even without experience.
Emma Flower, who has a two-year-old daughter, is hopeful of picking up work when her daughter is at kindergarten next year.
"I used to be a professional cleaner and I have a Cert III in childcare but work finished after I had severe morning sickness and I don't have anything to go back to,'' she said.
AHA regional spokesman Ray Sharawara said businesses would be eager to hear from mums like Emma.
A free training session will be held at the Shamrock Hotel on January 20 for people with no hospitality experience to learn bar tending.
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Mr Sharawara said Carlton United Breweries and Treasury Wines had paid for the event.
"There are a lot of vacant positions now and I would certainly encourage people to apply - even if they have limited hours to commit - they should have that conversation,'' he said.
Be.Bendigo interim chief executive Rob Stephenson said tapping into the unemployed workforce was a pressing priority.
"There are even micro-credential workshops to help people learn how to be front of house staff in hospitality to quickly fill those positions," he said.
"We had a pilot program in November to try to address shortages in hospitality especially for wait staff."
Bendigo parents group, Mums 4 Mums, administrator Debra McMahon said she had sympathy for hoteliers but available and affordable childcare was the real answer to women's workforce participation.
"I know a lot of women who would love to have that work,'' she said.
"But the government needs to rethink childcare - perhaps making it free for women who don't have any work - who are willing to take jobs in areas where there are shortages until they are able to co-pay a subsidised amount, would be effective.
"I'm and ex-chef myself and I used to own a restaurant. I really feel for anybody trying to run a business right now. "
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