Cup chance to score temp jobs

Volunteers Hannah Milich, Vanessa Wards and Robyn Clotworthy are eager for the RWC to start. Photo / APN

There's nothing like a few hours temporary work here and there to boost people's finances. The Rugby World Cup will provide a great opportunity for Kiwis of all walks of life to get some temporary work.

New Zealand is expecting thousands of rugby fans to descend on the country for 48 matches over 45 days. Thousands of businesses will be expecting a boost from this out-of-season influx of tourists and many will need to employ temporary staff to cope.

Kelly Services managing director Debbie Grenfell says the Rugby World Cup (RWC) is likely to create a ripple effect in the demand for temporary workers, particularly in Auckland. "Temporary workers are going to be vital to ensuring the whole event runs smoothly and that visitors and locals have the best possible Rugby World Cup experience," Grenfell says.

At present much of the attention is on the "front lines" - the industries that will provide entertainment and hospitality services for the visitors.

"Bars, restaurants and hotels, as well as the venues themselves, are gearing up for an increase in demand for skilled staff over the period."

So are businesses that work behind the scenes in areas such as manufacturing, supply, tourism support, and retail, which will all be hoping for a boost from the visitor numbers.

"We can expect requirements for temporary staff to ripple out fairly widely from businesses that sell catering supplies which could require extra packers and drivers, and supermarkets that need extra shelf stackers, through to waste management companies, cleaning contractors and security companies all needing extra staff to meet peak demand around the games."

There will be paid work available at the various stadiums around the country where games are being played. But the positions are not offered directly through Rugby New Zealand 2011 which, apart from 140 core staff, is not taking on paid temporary workers.

Other temporary roles that Rugby New Zealand needs to fill have already been offered to 5900 unpaid volunteers, says volunteer manager Brendon Ward.

"They are going to be doing all sorts of roles such as transporting VIPs around, through to working in the accreditation centres."

Ward says that 17,000 people applied for the roles and will each do six to eight-hour shifts.

Catering, cleaning, and security services at the stadiums are sub-contracted to third-party companies, which are expected to employ at least 10,000 people at the time of the event.

The bulk of temporary staff members are needed in Auckland at Eden Park for its 11 matches and hospitality pavilion, and at the North Harbour Stadium.

In order to get one of the catering jobs, people looking for temporary work will have to pay up-front fees to complete an EventStar training course.

The courses are being offered at polytechnics throughout the country. At the Manukau Institute of Technology, the fees range from $125 for a retail bar module to $205 for a supervisor module. The modules are offered as two-hour or one-day courses.

Steve Hanrahan, chief executive of the Hospitality Standards Institute, says that so far about 2000 certificates have been issued to people who have completed EventStar modules. Many of those have been sponsored by their current employers.

Bars and restaurants in centres outside RWC venues will need additional temporary staff and most will not require them to do a training course.

The security industry welcomes calls from people looking for temporary work during the RWC, says Greg Watts, executive officer of the New Zealand Security Association.

Temporary staff members don't need to be either large or male. They simply need confidence and a good temperament, says Watts. Security companies will give the temporary workers training and put them in non-confrontational roles, such as directing people and carparking.

Law changes mean that after November 1 security staff employed in crowd control will need to be qualified. The RWC finishes before that date, which means qualifications will not be necessary, says Watts.

The names of security firms that employ workers for events are available on the association's website Security.org.nz

Temporary security work is also advertised on the website as well as in the New Zealand Herald and general job websites.

There are many other events on in New Zealand at the time of the RWC that will also need temporary staff. The various RWC Fanzones will generate employment in hospitality and security.

There is a large number of REAL New Zealand Festival events planned throughout the country, which may provide opportunities for temporary or even one-off work. The festival has been organised to promote New Zealand during the RWC events. It runs from September 9 to October 23 and focuses on the arts, food and wine.

Not all companies will need temporary workers. Some will offer existing staff overtime. Some of the REAL New Zealand Festival events are annual celebrations anyway, and will have their own regular temporary staff. Some won't.

Grenfell says there are also all the businesses which will support the flow of visitors, including airports and campervan companies.

Mark Hockley, owner of The Perfect Welcome, usually employs two pick-up drivers, but will need 15 to 20 temporary drivers during the RWC.

"Apart from the licence, the ideal person is someone who has guiding experience and genuinely enjoys helping and hosting visitors," he says.

"We are targeting the upper end of the market so they must be well-dressed, well-spoken, knowledgeable and understand what VIP service entails."

Grenfell says it is still difficult to say precisely where all the demand will be focused. "Many visitors are still making decisions about travel and accommodation.

"Although the Rugby World Cup is not likely to have an immediate impact on the full-time job market, businesses that prepare thoroughly and do well over the event could use the opportunity to expand," Grenfell says.

And it's a good chance for people looking for some part-time work, or a new job opportunity, to start considering how their experience might suit some of the many businesses that will be looking for temporary workers.

People looking to land these temporary jobs can search traditional job agencies, such as Kelly Services and Adecco, look online for direct advertisements, or simply front up with a CV at a bar or restaurant they're interested in working for. Sometimes that's the easiest way to land work.

In some cases, these temporary roles will develop regular temporary work or even full-time work.

Many people will also pick up a new skill which they can market in the future.

This is certainly the case for security workers, says Watts. "The security industry is growing all the time. The Rugby World Cup is a good opportunity for people to test the waters and build a relationship with security companies."

Businesses will find it is an opportunity to showcase how well they can perform for key clients and new contacts, Grenfell says. "Businesses that manage the event well, whether it's delivering extra ice to busy bars, or hosting thousands of visitors to an event, could find themselves building valuable new business and creating more full-time work as a result."