Cafes, restaurant and pubs are bracing for the rush and ads for staff are everywhere, but some are finding it difficult to secure reliable workers.

The Mills Cafe manager Julian Ooi says she and her team and "struggling to cope" due to staff shortages.

"I am supposed to have 10 people running a shift - I'm running with four-and-a -half," she said.

"We're all punching in 50 to 60 hours a week.

"A lot of businesses are struggling. Everyone is talking about the same thing."

In the past four to six weeks Ms Ooi has hired at least 12 people, but no one has turned up.

She believes many people are "applying for the sake of applying" so they can get government assistance.

"Some will say `I'm keen to come, what time, what do I wear?' and then on that day they'll say to me 'oh my car broke down, I can't come in'."

"I'll say `Then why don't you come in tonight?' and at five o'clock they don't turn up or answer their phone. They just disappear."

The situation is becoming increasingly frustrating, she says.

"On the long weekend it got so busy for us we had to shut the restaurant down for two hours just to do food prep again for that night.

"We're trying to plan further ahead - Christmas is coming and we get very busy.

"We need people to come to work to want to work."

A quick search on across job sites and social media reveals there are a wide range of hospitality roles available in Orange now, including bar and wait staff at Duntryleague Orange, baristas and wait staff at Byng Street Local Store and wait staff and food and beverage attendants at Bensons Cafe. The Union Bank is looking for an apprentice chef, Bills Beans in East Orange is looking for a part-time chef/cook and and The Hotel Orange is looking for bartenders.

Orange Ex-Services' Club is advertising numerous hospitality roles as it readies itself for a busy summer and festive season.

"We have multiple opportunities for people who want to explore hospitality as a career," said Chief Human Resources Officer David Carson.

"We are open to candidates with experience but also people who are new to the workforce or looking for a change in career. "

"We have positions across all departments with the opportunity for new recruits to learn all facets of front of house operations to become a well-rounded hospitality professional.

"We are a committed hospitality training center and we love imparting new skills and experiences.

Mr Carson said he was confident the roles would be filled.

"We advertised only last week and we've had in excess of 40 applications to date.

"I think where we may have struck a chord is our commitment to training people across multiple roles within the business.

"I think that's attractive for the younger people in particular to learn a broad cross section of skills."

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