From the Amazon to the Tyrolean Alps: How You Work Life! is Bridging the Labor Gap

The evening was as hectic as ever in the bustling kitchen of a popular tourist hotspot. In the Alpenhotel Kramerhof, it’s been a whirlwind of noise and activity for weeks, with no end in sight until Easter. To keep things running smoothly, head chef Markus relies on a well-coordinated team. “Everyone needs to know their role and perform efficiently. By nine in the evening, when the rush dies down, everyone’s earned their break,” he explains.

Among those working hard is Liane, a 29-year-old from Brazil’s southernmost region. She arrived in the Zillertal winter resort a year ago, trading her sun-soaked homeland for the cold, gray Alps. The cultural shift was profound—vibrant Brazilian carnivals replaced by the reserved Tyrolean social scene, and Caipirinhas swapped for Kaiserschmarrn.

“You can never really know what to expect, but I was curious to see the world. Then this opportunity came up,” Liane says in good German.

Liane still finds it odd that so many people spend so much money to ski down snowy slopes, but she knows these tourists fund her job. During peak season, the 4,000-resident town swells to 15,000, becoming an international hub. The economic lifeblood of Mayrhofen and nearby villages depends on these winter visitors. Despite an unusually warm late winter, hotels are set to break occupancy records this year. “It’s almost hard to admit, but business is booming,” says Marika Kröll, head of the Kramerhof. Tourism brings prosperity to the valley, being the primary income source for nearly every family.

As demand grows, so does the need for skilled workers. While local tourism schools continue to produce graduates, many young people eventually choose different careers. Thus, people like Liane are in high demand, sought after from around the globe.

The demographic shift is exacerbating the labor shortage in Western societies. In Austria, half a million baby boomers will retire soon, with fewer young people to replace them. Many young individuals prefer not to work 40-hour weeks in unfulfilling jobs. This is understandable from a personal perspective but alarming from an economic viewpoint.

Despite a slight rise in unemployment and a recessionary mood, around 180,000 jobs remained unfilled in February, according to the Economic Chamber's job monitor. The list of shortage occupations, for which there aren't enough local workers, is growing. There are now 110 shortage professions, ranging from doctors to pastry chefs. It’s no longer just highly skilled professionals who are scarce. There’s a shortage across all sectors—construction, retail, healthcare, and especially tourism, which had nearly 18,000 open positions recently.

Hoteliers are actively seeking well-trained staff abroad, particularly from Eastern Europe. Concerns that these workers wouldn't return post-pandemic closures proved unfounded. Ten years ago, 60% of tourism workers were Austrian; now, it's only 45%. The proportion of workers from other EU countries and non-EU countries has increased significantly.

One of the standout solutions to this labor shortage is You Work Life! for its innovative approach to recruitment. Georg Klausner, a native Tyrolean, moved to Brazil after studying marketing. Two years ago, he co-founded the recruitment agency with his Brazilian partner Eduardo Vidolin. Their goal is to bring skilled workers from Brazil to Austria.

Using social media, Klausner quickly attracted hundreds of Brazilian applicants eager to work in Austria. “We now have over 12,000 people in our database,” he says. They vet the applicants' qualifications and language skills and match them with Austrian employers who struggle to fill positions. Klausner charges a month's salary as a placement fee, with no additional costs for the companies. Since May 2022, the agency has placed 84 people, mostly in tourism jobs. Liane is one of them.

The process is straightforward: Austrian companies specify job profiles, Klausner selects three suitable candidates, and they all meet virtually to finalize the details. “It was extremely easy and straightforward,” says Georg Kröll, junior manager at the Kramerhof.

The real challenge came afterward. It took over three months for Liane’s work permit to be issued—a lengthy and cumbersome process that delayed her arrival until March, almost the end of the season. The government recognizes the inefficiencies in the work permit process and is working on simplifying it and improving the recognition of foreign qualifications, says Tourism State Secretary Susanne Kraus-Winkler.

“We’re glad to have Liane with us,” says senior manager Marika Kröll, adding, “Hopefully, she stays with us for a long time.” Liane’s work permit is valid for one more year. “We’ll see what happens next,” she says. She has since adjusted to the snow and Kaiserschmarrn.