Last week The Mercury ran a story about local publicans and their plight to find hospitality staff for their establishments.
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While things have improved slightly with a few positions filled, Nic Quinn from the O'Hara group of hotels, said there are still plenty of positions that are there for the taking.
"We have seen an increase in resumes for bar and bistro jobs, chefs and cooks however are no where to be seen," he said.
"I have had to bite the bullet and sponsor guys from overseas.
"It's not what I like to do but we have no choice. There is a heap of them looking for work," Mr Quinn said.
The O'Hara Group owns The Windsor Castle, Bank, Bradford and Rutherford hotels.
Mr Quinn contacted The Mercury after he read about how unemployment numbers had peaked in the Hunter since COVID had reared its ugly head.
He'd been talking to mate and fellow pub owner, Clayton Barrett of the Imperial, the previous day - and both were saying they were having ongoing problems filling job vacancies.
"The other day we had four applicants for a chef's job and not one of them turned up for their interview.
"They're not all skilled jobs either, so they're out there if people want to work."
Mr Quinn suspects in some cases the applications are coming from people who are only applying to satisfy authorities that they're actively looking for work to ensure ongoing JobSeeker payments.
