Tackling the hospitality staff shortage with fast track course

A new Hospitality Passport course at South West TAFE will help to address ongoing chronic staff shortages across the region.

The three-day express short course is designed to give students all the certificates needed to gain work in the hospitality industry faster than they can make a cappuccino.

They will be trained in food service and customer service skills, how to prepare food and coffee orders and complete a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA).

It is the first time the express combined course has been offered by South West TAFE in Warrnambool.

Hospitality trainer Hayley Dowling said participants would gain all the essential skills needed for an express entry into the hospitality industry.

“We’ve focussed on the most relevant key points that employers are looking for and students will get the basics in safe food handling, RSA and some great coffee and food and beverage skills,” Ms Dowling said.

“We’ve been speaking to industry and they need people who have these basic skills.”

Ms Dowling said local hospitality businesses needed a big influx of staff. “It is really tough for industry at the moment so we hope we can help them to recruit some new people,” she said.

The course is designed to give anyone enough knowledge and skills to get a start in hospitality and is particularly well suited to senior secondary students and school leavers.

“A lot of school leavers will be looking to take a gap year so having this qualification under their belt will make them job ready,” Ms Dowling said.

A former Melbourne restaurateur, Ms Dowling worked in the industry for more than 20 years before moving to Warrnambool three years ago and shifting into training.

“I pivoted my career and decided to become a hospitality trainer,” she said. “I really enjoyed when I did my training and thought it was something I could do and love.

“I love working with young people and it’s a fun industry to be in. I want to help people to see a different side of the industry and pursue a career where they could make a good living and have a bit of fun.”

The course will be on December 7-14 at the Warrnambool campus.

More information can be found at https://shortcourses.swtafe.vic.edu.au/courses/1001430-hospitality-passport