Looking for flexible work - and training - in hospitality? This firm will help you Get The Shifts

Clare-based temporary staff firm to fill 700 casual roles in sector over the next 12 months

Louise Kelly

A Clare-based temporary staff company is set to fill 700 casual roles in the hospitality sector over the next 12 months.

Founded in 2016, Get The Shifts is a tech-centric staffing solution that acts as a matchmaking service for experienced hospitality staff and bars, restaurants and other hospitality and events businesses.

The 700 roles, available on a casual basis, will be available to bar staff, wait staff, event staff, promo staff, baristas, mixologists and kitchen porters.

The company, which provides full training to applicants, is already recruiting ahead of the Christmas period and is encouraging anyone looking for flexible work to apply.

Hannah Wrixon

The company has invested with Waterford-based online learning company Dulann, available to employees at approximately 10pc of the standard cost.

Founder of the Get The Shifts Hannah Wrixon said the company, located in Shannon, is on track to secure 60pc of the casual hospitality market by the end of 2018.

The concept of the business was born to combat issues such as forecasting the right numbers of staff on a day and combating no-show employees.

"Effective staffing is a historic problem for hospitality businesses. The reality is that businesses are in constant need of reliable, trained staff," said Ms Wrixon.

"Not only do we save businesses time and money where resourcing is concerned, we also spend the time training and preparing our staff so they are shift ready when the opportunity calls."

After recruitment and training, Get The Shifts staff are known as 'Superstars' and are offered to businesses in need as they need them

Current clients include Aviva Stadium, Thomond Park, Workers Beer Company, Aiken Promotions, Fitzers, The Right Catering Company and Dynamic Events.

Ms Wrixon said her team include those in the industry looking for extra hours, students and stay-at-home parents who require flexible working. The majority of the activity is in major hubs such as Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

"A large percentage of our Superstars are digital natives and are used to using on-demand technology to shop, to hail a cab, and they are attracted to our product because finding a shift or communicating with a potential employer is now instant too," she said.

Get The Shifts' has just secured its first contract outside of Ireland with UK events company Eventist Group.