Barcats launch national platform to help teenagers train for hospitality sector

The demand for work from teenagers has led Barcats - one of Australia’s leading hospitality platforms - to launch a new national platform dedicated to helping young teens find their first jobs.

Barcats has found that teenagers are rushing to work in hospitality with many pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes desperately needing staff as the nation slowly reopens after the long COVID lockdowns.

Barcats Chief Executive and founder, Jeffrey Williams said he had seen a significant increase in teens seeking work - and venues wanting to hire them - in the past few weeks.

Williams notes “at the start of the COVID pandemic it was baby-boomers filling the gaps left by the departure of foreign workers and backpackers.

“But with school about to end, and many teens wanting part-time work to help fund university or higher education fees, they are applying in record numbers.

”There is now a tangible feeling of optimism within the industry.”

After extensive research, Barcats found the Under 18 candidate pool needed specific support and a starting point to their hospitality journey.

And since launching a test program a few months ago, Williams said teens had been rushing to the platform, leading Barcats to make the platform national.

“They clearly wanted the training and to find out about jobs specific to them. Not only have teens rushed to sign up, employers, in the last few weeks, have been hiring them at a rapid rate as the nation slowly reopens.”

BarcatsU18, specifically designed for 15 to 18 year olds, not only lists jobs suitable for teenagers, but also provides introductory training, essential knowledge of the industry and tells teens what to expect when they are seeking their first job.

The new platform comes at a time when hospitality venues around Australia, including cafes and restaurants, are ready to fully reopen with COVID restrictions easing.

However, most face severe staff shortages with more than 250,000 less staff to fill roles. Hospitality venues are now casting the net wider and need to find ways to create a hospitality pathway for young people.    

Danielle Richardson, a spokesman for Laundy Hotels, one of Australia’s largest family-run hospitality groups, said everyone recognised the hospitality industry had been hard hit by the pandemic with a critical shortage of workers.

Richardson advised “we would welcome an influx of teenagers.They are keen to work and quick to learn.

“I love Barcats’ initiative in creating a specific U18 platform. It is such a positive move for our industry.”

Williams said the BarcatsU18 platform was designed to give teens confidence when facing the often daunting experience of applying for their first job.

 “Part-time work helps teens develop independence and establish lifelong skills that will hopefully keep them off welfare, which is particularly important with youth unemployment accounting for more than a third of Australia’s 4.5% jobless rate,” he said.

“Working part-time also gives teens the confidence and knowledge to set them on a path of financial independence.”    

With almost 180,000 Year 12 students around Australia about to leave school, the new platform gives teenagers many opportunities to find work in their area.

Some of the businesses seeking workers include KFC, Betty’s Burgers, Nando’s, Snitz, Cali Press, Fishbowl,Taco Bell, Burrito Bar and the Laundy Hotel group  

Williams added “Teenagers generally have no work experience and no idea how to apply for a job, let alone what to expect when they start.

“Often, they face the added hurdle of most jobs requiring experience – or job ads not stipulating whether they are suitable for under 18s.   

“BarcatsU18 will link young teens with job opportunities in their area, and help them learn introductory skills, how to write a resume and apply for jobs, what to expect when they start, tax file numbers, superannuation and knowing their rights in the workplace.”  

A feature of the new platform is three online courses for teens, which include food hygiene, health and safety, and more, with links to further courses through Barcats’ training partners.   

When students complete the online course they are awarded a certificate of completion and their Barcats Profile is updated with a badge of completion for future employers to see.  

Parent involvement is both welcome and encouraged to help guide younger teens when setting up their profile and making choices about which jobs to apply for based on their location and requirements.   

Barcats also aims to connect with high schools across Australia to provide hospitality education and training, creating a safe platform to support teens to find a part-time hospitality job that works for them, and may lead to a career in the industry. 

Ollie MacDonagh and Katherine Golchin, both from Sydney, are keen to work in the hospitality industry.

Golchin, a 17-year-old Year 11 student explains “I was struggling to find a job in hospitality until I discovered the Barcatsu18 platform. I've never worked in this area before, so the quick training has been awesome. I also like the wide variety of job recommendations offered for someone my age."

MacDonagh, 16, also a Year 11 student adds "It's hard to find your first job when you don't know if it is suitable for your age, and you don't have any experience. This new platform helped me connect to many different jobs available near home and appropriate for my age. The website is super easy to navigate too."

Find out more www.barcatsu18.com.au