In response to the growing demand for skilled workers in the hospitality sector1, Work & Training* has teamed up with Workforce Australia provider Workskills to introduce the innovative Tourism & Hospitality Essentials Program in Southern Tasmania.
This new initiative is tailored for job seekers eager to break into the hospitality industry. The program offers a supportive learning environment where participants can develop essential practical skills before they progress to placements within local businesses.
Work & Training RTO Administration Coordinator and Training Consultant Kelsea House emphasised the dual benefits of the program during its launch in Hobart, “Not only does this course serve the needs of our Workforce Australia participants, but it also addresses the hiring challenges faced by local businesses. For a long time, the emphasis was on needing experienced workers, yet there was a reluctance to train newcomers, creating a substantial gap,” Ms House said.
The program encourages the industry to rethink their approach and start training people from the ground up, recognising the unique qualities they bring, “Many participants we work with lack experience in hospitality. However, it’s their personalities, life experiences, and ability to connect with people that truly make a difference, which is especially valuable in this industry,” Ms House said.
The program has already seen considerable success, with 19 out of 22 participants recently completing their training. Impressively, 16 participants have secured placements at top venues across Southern Tasmania, with two having commenced employment directly off the back of placement and another five participants making significant career strides negotiating roles for the upcoming peak season in September.
Work & Training CEO Leanne Wallace attributes the success of the program to its strategic design and collaborative approach, “We work extensively with job seekers, particularly through shorter programs designed to eliminate common barriers. The success of this particular program, was largely due to its central location, short delivery and design — which included a few accredited units without being overwhelmingly academic. The focus was on practical skills and empowering participants to recognise their own value. This approach significantly contributed to the success of the placements as well.”
Workforce Australia Local Jobs is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
*Work & Training is part of the IntoWork Group
1https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/skills-shortages-analysis/skills-priority-list
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