QIC Real Estate introduces Job Connect+, an innovative online recruitment platform designed to connect jobseekers with employment opportunities at their local QIC shopping centre, perfectly timed to meet the demands of the upcoming Christmas period.
A first-of-its-kind in the Australian shopping centre industry, the platform will not only support QIC’s retail and hospitality partners in hiring new workers but also help community members find employment opportunities, skills training and education.
Job Connect+ is accessible through 17 of QIC’s shopping centre websites including Robina Town Centre, Castle Towers and Eastland, and serves as a comprehensive platform for businesses to advertise full-time, part-time and casual positions. Roles span from national fashion and lifestyle brands to local food and beverage vendors, catering to a wide range of jobseekers. At launch, the platform lists more than 270 roles across participating centres.
Stephen Dewaele, QIC General Manager – Shopping Centre Management, said: “With over 1.3 million Australians finding their livelihood in the retail sector, QIC centres have a unique capacity to nurture the economic heartbeat of our communities. By transforming our annual jobs fair events into an always-on digital marketplace for opportunities, we can give community members a constant bridge to potential employers, support our commercial partners to grow and do our part to ensure the retail workforce remains strong, adaptable and connected.”
To further enhance its utility, Job Connect+ features a permanent ‘expressions of interest’ section that enables jobseekers to engage with potential employers even when specific positions are not actively listed.
The QIC in-centre Jobs Fair (2023)
After hosting in-centre jobs fairs that connected about 50,000 jobseekers with more than 100 retailer and hospitality partners, Job Connect+ is a fitting evolution. This transition to a digital platform is driven by a significant increase in online engagement, with 97% of candidates visiting the centre website during last year’s jobs fair to explore available roles. Retailers have expressed a keen interest in continuous access to a digital jobs board, recognising its value beyond the traditional pre-Christmas hiring period.
