Alcoa named WA’s most attractive employer

Aluminium producer Alcoa of Australia, miner BHP Billiton and national broadcaster ABC have been named the top places to work in Western Australia, according to a survey by recruitment specialist Randstad.

The survey of 7,000 job seekers across Australia on their opinions of 150 of the largest companies found more than half of Western Australians respondents saw Alcoa as a desirable employer.

Randstad WA operations director Todd Allen told the awards presentation in Perth this morning that Alcoa’s receipt of a 54 per cent attractiveness score, just ahead of BHP’s 52 per cent score, was a nice surprise.

“More than every one in two locals who know of Alcoa would like to work there,” Mr Allen said.

“Alcoa stood out among locals for offering competitive salaries and strong employee benefits but as well, having strong training and career progression opportunities and offering interesting job content.”

The survey found the most attractive industries in WA are mining and resources, fast moving consumer goods (such as laundry products and softdrinks) and design engineering.

This compared with the survey's nationwide results that found aviation, fast moving consumer goods and mining and resources were the top three most attractive industries.

Nationally, 61 per cent of those surveyed said competitive salary and employee benefits were the most attractive attributes in an employer.

Long-term job security was identified as attractive by 55 per cent of those surveyed, followed by a pleasant working atmosphere (50 per cent), good work-life balance (47 per cent) and interesting job content (41 per cent).

The survey also found the top three most attractive employers in Australia this year were ABC, Virgin Australia, and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Mr Allen said to appeal to and retain the right talent, organisations needed to consider what makes their business and their industry unique and attractive.

“It’s important to understand what your unique employer value propositions are and make sure you sell them well,” he said.