Staff shortages across the town came up for discussion at last week's community council (CC) meeting.
Members heard the shortages stretched from social care to the hospitality trade and there was hardly a restaurant or business that had enough staff.
Councillor Kieron Green said the town needed more people to come over from Europe to meet an increasing demand for workers.
Numbers of Oban people out of work who could take on those jobs were questioned.
CC convener Marri Malloy said she did not think there were many people from the town looking for work.
Councillor Jim Lynch said a lot of people out of work during the pandemic were now going back into the labour market but going to different jobs to get extra wages.
He also said there was a number of people in the town not meeting the standards employers need.
Mrs Malloy said: 'Beach cleaning and litter picking, you don't need training for that.'
Councillor Lynch said there was a skills gap that needed training.
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