Divergence

Everyone involved in Tasmanian business is aware that in many industry sectors there’s a critical shortage of skilled professional staff.

Just ask anyone in the hospitality industry whether they have enough chefs.  Or talk to people in health care and aged care about the need for more qualified nurses or experienced aged care workers.

Tasmanian employers are often unable to source the right local staff to fill the vacancies, so they need to look further afield.

New Tasmanian recruitment specialists Divergence have developed an innovative business model that is already assisting local employers to find – and more importantly, to hold on to – the skilled staff they need.

Divergence director Adrian Sampson explains that the firm was established specifically for Tasmanian businesses, addressing the staff shortage challenge head on, but at the same time, being aware that to build long-term relationships, it’s critical to match the right people with the right positions.

“Ideally, we advocate that local businesses should look locally first, but when that doesn’t work, where do you go?” he asks. “That’s where our extensive networks can assist, because we believe no Tasmanian business should have to operate with a vacant position that they’d rather fill.”

In many cases, Divergence is targeting international professionals already working in Australia and encouraging them to move to Tasmania and gain permanent Australian residence in Australia through the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.

“Many of the skilled staff we need are just a domestic flight away and plenty of them are keen to take up the opportunity to move to Tasmania to live and work,” Mr Sampson says.

The RSMS is an Australian Government initiative that aims to assist regional areas of the country, including Tasmania, to attract skilled workers. The scheme offers a permanent Australian residence visa for people who want to work in regional Australia and have been nominated for a placement by an approved employer.

Mr Sampson says that to encourage people to move permanently to Tasmania, it’s important to make the process as smooth as possible for both the candidates and local employers.

“Divergence offers a seamless, end-to-end migration service that is simple, timely and cost-effective for all involved,” Mr Sampson says.

“The innovative aspect of the Divergence approach is that the candidates make their own financial contribution towards the costs of migration services, rather than the sponsoring employer carrying all the expense. This means the employees have a strong incentive to commit to their new positions and become key professionals for their new employers.”

An example of the end-to-end service provided by Divergence is seen in the company’s comprehensive relocation support program. As Adrian Sampson explains, the all-inclusive migration services smooth the way for a candidate’s move to Tasmania, assisting with employment or work experience placements as well as advising on a range of temporary and permanent visa options.

“Then, after candidates have arrived, Divergence follows through with on-ground support, which can include information and assistance about a variety of local administrative services and even a tailored induction process to the business they’re joining, so candidates are immediately ready to make a valuable contribution in their new professional life in Tasmania,” Mr Sampson says.

It’s all part of the way that Divergence is doing things differently, for the benefit of Tasmanian businesses and for the talented professionals that our economy needs to continue its growing success.