Critical skills shortages in the visitor economy are being addressed by the NSW Government, which is offering thousands of free training places across the state.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee has announced more than 2,700 fee-free training places will be available initially across 35 short courses at TAFE NSW and other registered training providers, with scope to increase with demand.
“People from around the country are lining up to book holidays all over our great state and the NSW Government wants to help support those businesses attract enthusiastic and skilled staff,” Mr Lee said.
“Industry estimates around 600,000 staff across the country left the sector during the pandemic, which is why training opportunities like these free courses are so valuable, filling labour gaps and giving jobseekers the opportunity of a bright future in tourism.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister for Trade and Industry Stuart Ayres said access to skilled workers was one of the greatest challenges facing tourism and hospitality businesses in NSW right now.
“Our tourism operators, event owners and local tourism organisations are the backbone of this industry and they need more skilled staff to rebuild. Offering fee-free training means we can support both businesses and workers, which will help grow the NSW visitor economy,” Mr Ayres said.
Tourism Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson said: "This initiative is a great way to give school leavers and employees displaced over the last 18 months the skills they need to join our great industry."
Free courses available under the program include:
• Outdoor Leadership (Basic Water Rescues, Snorkel, Lead Snorkeling, Paddle and Lead Stand Up Board on Inland Flatwater)
• Tourism Product Design and Promotion
• Hospitality (Interact with Customers, Safe Work Practices and Visitor Information, Housekeeping, Responsible Service of Alcohol, Social/Cultural Sensitivity)
• Outdoor Recreation (Vertical Rescues, Abseil, Establish Ropes and Lead Single Pitch Abseiling on Natural Surfaces)
• Bicycle Servicing
• Swimming and Water Safety Teacher
• Infection Control
The announcement complements the nearly 250,000 free training places being funded under the joint state and federal JobTrainer program and adds to the NSW Government investment in free training recently announced for the retail and hospitality sectors.
To explore other fee-free courses available to study click here.
Source: NSW Government