Hills stakeholders have welcomed a State Government move to boost labor-hungry businesses in SA by giving young workers from the UK and Ireland the chance to book £10 return flights to Adelaide.
Last week the State Government announced the scheme, which was welcome news for local grower Tony Hannaford, who hires laborers to pick and pack cherries at his business, Torrens Valley Orchards, at Gumeracha.
Mr Hannaford said he had been struggling to get labor due to a general shortage of workers, exacerbated by the soaring cost of casual employment.
“It’s a great idea,” he said.
“For 25 years I’ve been employing overseas workers who have generally been young, keen and intelligent.”
While it’s currently the off-season for cherry picking, Mr Hannaford said there was plenty of work available.
“I’m keen to hire people for pruning and irrigation maintenance,” he said.
Mr Hannaford’s view was echoed by Business Mt Barker chair James Sexton, who said there was a significant need for more workers not just in the Hills but around SA.
“At the moment there aren’t enough skilled workers so this could help, it would also be a boost to the economy as they will be spending and making money in the community,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea, we have had English and Scottish people come through in the past and they have fit into the community pretty well.”
Adelaide Hills Tourism chair Martin Radcliffe said the new campaign was exciting and would help address a skills shortage gap in SA.
“Backpackers disperse through the regions, stay for long periods of time, contribute to our visitor economy, and often return as older travellers or migrants,” he said.
“My first visit to Australia was as a backpacker which made me fall in love with the country and would eventually mean I migrated here to live, work, and raise my family.”
A total of 200 return flights to Adelaide for £10 will be available on Qatar Airways services from London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin.
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the flights were an opportunity for overseas travellers to visit SA on a Working Holiday Visa.
“Our tourism operators have missed having international visitors on their tours and experiences, and booking up accommodation, and they’ve also missed the backpacker workforce and the vibrancy they bring,” she said.
“In turn, we know these young people have missed travelling and have missed seeing SA – they foster a love for our State and our country which often inspires them to return later in life.”
Those looking to take advantage of the flights must be a British or Irish citizen, prove they have a Working Holiday visa, be able to travel to Adelaide before September 30, and purchase a holiday starter pack via Trail finders.