Mid-West residents are set to benefit from the Hospitality Job Connect course, which will bring together job seekers and prospective employers when it kicks off in Geraldton from tomorrow to September 10.
The free initiative is supported by the McGowan Government through Tourism WA, in partnership with the Central Regional TAFE.
The event follows the Kimberley Hospitality Job Connect held in Kununurra during May, which was completed by 21 job seekers with a number later securing work at the Kimberley Moon Experience concert as well as local businesses.
Geraldton participants will learn from local hospitality, food and produce operators, who will highlight the flavours and food specialties of the Mid-West region, including Aboriginal food and culture.
Over the five-day fast track course, they will also complete customer service training, learn barista and safe food handling techniques as well as complete TAFE accredited units, AHA Responsible Service of Alcohol certification and AHA COVID-19 hygiene training.
WA Food Ambassador Chef Don Hancey and Cape Lodge Head Chef Tony Howell will lead masterclasses as part of the course, including hands-on workshops in the kitchen, teaching food safety practices and introducing participants to a career in hospitality.
Hospitality operators will have the opportunity to introduce their business, meet participants and discuss available job openings at the conclusion of the course.
Additional Hospitality Job Connect events are being planned for the coming months.
As stated by Tourism Minister David Templeman:
“It’s great to see this initiative taking place in a second WA regional destination, reaching more job seekers and local hospitality businesses and connecting them to help fill job vacancies.
“It builds on the recent success of our interactive Skills West Careers and Employment Expo stand in partnership with FutureNow, which presented the WA tourism and hospitality industry as an attractive and rewarding career, as well as the Kimberley Hospitality Job Connect in May.
“The Hospitality Job Connect is just one of a number of State Government initiatives that help attract people to regional areas to live and work in the tourism and hospitality industry.
“It comes in addition to the McGowan Government’s upcoming Regional Skills Summit in Geraldton, which will be held later this year.”
Comments to be attributed to the Member for Geraldton Lara Dalton:
“I am delighted to hear that the McGowan Government is supporting local businesses and job seekers in this way.
“The skills that participants will gain will benefit them for the long term, as well as ensure that local businesses have skilled staff to meet demand as more and more people wander out yonder.”
