![DRIVERS WANTED: Warrnambool Radio Taxis is looking for more staff. DRIVERS WANTED: Warrnambool Radio Taxis is looking for more staff.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/379mw9XPZ7UFRqmwjWhGKkr/8a7ec411-2f7a-4695-b3e1-9ec4d63a1a73.jpg/r0_0_1200_677_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
In previous years, Warrnambool Radio Taxis director Andrew Watson has struggled to find enough shifts for all his drivers.
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But now he's finding it difficult to attract drivers.
"Drivers are a scarce commodity at the moment," he said.
Mr Watson said it was the first time in three decades he had experienced the issue.
"Years ago we had more drivers than we had jobs," he said.
Mr Watson said he believed some people had chosen to access government benefits rather than work during the coronavirus pandemic.
"It seems to be difficult to attract people who want to work," he said.
"I know a lot of restaurants and a whole raft of other industries are in the same position."
Mr Watson said he was surprised people didn't want to pick up work as a taxi driver.
"It's not a very difficult job," he said.
Mr Watson said he was looking for people with knowledge of the area, good communication skills and a good driving record.
He said a range of shifts were available but people would need to be prepared to work flexible hours.
Mr Watson said taxi drivers had remained busy during the pandemic.
However, during lockdowns the numbers of jobs reduces.
"We've been pretty much business as usual," he said.
The Standard reported in February a number of employers were finding it difficult to attract skilled staff.
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism general manager Liz Price said filling vacancies in the tourism industry had been an issue for some years.
She said the coronavirus pandemic had made it tougher than ever.
"This has been challenging in the visitor economy for a significant number of years but has been further exacerbated by COVID where we have seen the sector heavily impacted," Ms Price said.
She said some staff had been retained in other sectors, some had left looking for security and career progression, while there were not international workers available to fill roles.
"In some parts of the region we have businesses that have had to reduce their operating/opening hours to accommodate working within current staffing limitations," Ms Price said.
Other industries struggling to attract staff include hairdressing, construction and agriculture.
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