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Isabella Devereux (student and Workskills candidate) and John Kalbfell (Venue Manager at The Central Hotel in Hobart).

A hospitality training program jointly developed by Workskills and TasTAFE has resulted in strong employment outcomes for participants.

Workskills and TasTAFE recently worked together to develop a practical, hands-on pilot training program specific to the employment requirements of various hospitality businesses in the greater Hobart region.

Upon completion of the training, eight out of the 10 students have been successful in securing sustainable employment in related roles across the hospitality sector.

The other two have moved onto further training, undertaking the full Certificate III Hospitality qualification.

Workskills Employer Services Manager, Matthew Dance said it was a fantastic result.

“It’s testament to the collaborative model that has been developed between Workskills, TasTAFE and local hospitality organisations,” Mr Dance said.

“There has been significant support for the training model, particularly in reference to it being a fantastic method of sourcing suitable and motivated hospitality workers.”

Mr Dance said the pilot was in response to demand for suitably trained workers in the local hospitality sector.

“This collaborative approach was based on industry feedback that there was a significant gap between entry-level requirements for working in the sector, versus job seekers actively seeking hospitality-related employment.”

TasTAFE Drysdale South Education Manager, Jane Richardson, said Workskills and TasTAFE were able to successfully mentor and support the students through the pilot program from start to finish, with the focus being on continually linking their learnings to the requirements for working in the hospitality sector.

“Local hospitality businesses were consulted throughout the pre-screening and training process, as their direction and guidance was pivotal to the pilot’s overall success,” Ms Richardson said.

The training program also included a work placement in a hospitality venue which was tailored to meet both student and employer requirements.

Mr Dance said that based on the success of the pilot, Workskills and TasTAFE will continue to work collaboratively in developing and facilitating similarly targeted training programs that will be tailored to meet the needs of employers in the local hospitality sector.

“Local businesses will continue to drive what programs are developed.  As such, we strongly encourage any organisations interested to make contact and discuss how we can all work together to address the need for suitably trained hospitality workers,” Mr Dance said.

For more information contact Carmen Walpole at Workskills on 6262 5400 or email jobs@workskills.org.auworkskills