Steve Whan
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education
MEDIA RELEASE
TAFE NSW National Skills Week industry luncheon educates young Australians on high demand career pathway
Wednesday, 21 August 2024
A hospitality luncheon held today during National Skills Week demonstrates the investment TAFE NSW is making in encouraging young Australians into career pathways that help plug the country's skills gaps.
The TAFE NSW Cooma event showcased Certificate III in Commercial Cookery students catering a three-course a la carte meal and Certificate III in Hospitality students providing front of house services, inspiring 25 secondary school students from Jindabyne and Cooma with their technical skills and enthusiasm.
Accommodation and food services is the largest employer in the Snowy Monaro region, accounting for 18.9 per cent of the local workforce, compared to a New South Wales average of 6.5 per cent. Further, chefs appear on the Skills Priority List's top 10 jobs expected to be most in demand in Australia between 2022 and 2027.
The findings show hospitality employment opportunities are plentiful in the tourism-rich Snowy Monaro area and throughout Australia, providing significant prospects for school leavers.
TAFE NSW is the largest cookery, baking, and patisserie training provider in New South Wales, offering nationally recognised qualifications. Courses are delivered in state-of-the-art commercial kitchens and facilitated by culinary-trained trained teachers who are passionate about the industry. The TAFE NSW hospitality offering also includes state-of-the-art training facilities, including hospitality training restaurants, kitchens, bars, cafes, and mobile units.
These custom environments enhance learners' skill development and provide hands-on learning opportunities for them to develop practical, job-ready skills.
Jindabyne High School and Snowy Mountains Christian School students attending today's luncheon toured the impressive TAFE NSW Cooma commercial cookery and hospitality facilities, speaking with the head teacher and industry representatives to gain insider knowledge.
A local employer from Birchwood Cafe in Jindabyne who spoke at the event provided further inspiration, sharing insights into their successful career and where they see opportunities emerging for tomorrow's hospitality workforce.
The TAFE NSW luncheon was funded by the Regional Industry Education Partnerships program, which connects employers with secondary schools across NSW.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:
"Having a local TAFE that works closely with industry to respond to local skills needs is vital. Rebuilding relationships within our communities is a key focus for this Government as we strive to strengthen TAFE NSW's role in meeting the skills needs of the NSW economy.
"TAFE NSW's commitment to bridging Australia's skills gaps is evident in its delivery of industry events that unite businesses, communities, and schools to educate young people about promising career pathways.
"This government is lifting the status of vocational education and training in delivering fit-for-purpose learning that equips Australians with industry-relevant knowledge and experience.
"Every year, TAFE NSW provides hundreds of thousands of learners in urban, regional, and remote areas with the practical skills they need to get the job they want.
"Educating and influencing the students of today through hands-on experiences like today's industry luncheon not only helps combat youth unemployment, which is more than double overall unemployment. It helps build a pipeline of workers of tomorrow for industries that are in urgent need of skilled employees."
