CoE Update | July 2022

Welcome to the first Centre of Excellence Update

Following the devastation of the bushfires and the impact of COVID-19 and recent floods on the Visitor Economy the South Coast Centre of Excellence (CoE) is designing a program of activities to support the tourism and hospitality industries and its workforce in the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley local government areas. 

This Local Economic Recovery project is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and New South Wales Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding arrangements.
 
The program of activities is being planned to align with the feedback from industry to a recent survey and will focus on:

  • Attracting and building a pipeline of new recruits
  • Develop the skills of existing workers to retain them in the industry
  • Support owners/operators to grow their businesses

The program will offer a diverse range of activities and the Centre of Excellence will partner with existing programs as well as deliver bespoke events to develop an experienced and sustainable workforce.

Talk soon,
Robyn & Sam

August Program

In August the CoE is funding three Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Award level 2 courses for front-line staff involved in the service or sale of wine. This is an internationally accredited course that provides an industry standard introduction to the main wine styles and aims to deliver the product knowledge and skills required to prepare a person for employment in wine hospitality or retail.

This qualification is recognised in 70 countries and will give participants the confidence and the knowledge of the grape varieties of the world, the regions in which they are grown and the styles of wine they produce. The CoE has worked with the WSET accredited course leader and the NSW Wine Industry Association to have some locally produced wines included in the program   We are delighted that we have 52 participants registered for the WSET courses that will be held in the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley. This is the first time that this course has been available to local hospitality workers delivered here on the NSW South Coast.

September Program

The Centre of Excellence is partnering with the Shoalhaven City Council and Business Milton Ulladulla to deliver a professional development and networking event on 21 September at the Ulladulla Civic Centre. Details on the event will be available soon.
 
In the coming months the CoE will be delivering Local Knowledge Tours to promote the industry knowledge of local products and produce. Local tourism and hospitality workers will be encouraged to develop their local knowledge so they can recommend with confidence local produce and attractions to encourage visitors to stay longer and experience more of what is on offer in their region.
 
The CoE will keep you updated on the details of when these tours will occur.

Other Skills Training and Education

The Centre of Excellence will also support other courses and events that relate to Tourism and Hospitality for job seekers, existing workers, owner/operators to attend.

TAFE Nowra is offering a Certificate III Hospitality (café – restaurant – bar focus) the course has been approved to commence next Monday 1st August
Click here for more information.

.  .  .

llawarraYES is partnering with TAFE NSW to deliver a number of fee free* programs in Hospitality. Programs will be delivered in Nowra.

  • SG00002354 – Statement of Attainment in Hospitality (Safe & Hygienic Food Handling, Responsible Gambling Services and Service of Alcohol) 3 day course
  • SG00002344 – Statement of Attainment in Espresso Coffee (Espresso Coffee & Hygienic Practises) 3 day course
  • SITSS00051 – Statement of Attainment in Food Safety Supervision
    1 day course
  • SG00003570 – Statement of Attainment in Customer Service (Customer First)
    2 day course 

Subject to eligibility

Click here to complete an Expression of Interest to attend these courses.

Looking for more information?

For further information on the Centre of Excellence, please contact:

Robyn Johnson
Manager Skills and Opportunities
[email protected]
 
Sam Tooley
Industry Partnerships Specialist
[email protected]
 
This Local Economic Recovery project is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the New South Wales Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Header image: Barista making coffee at The Wharf Local cafe in Tathra. Credit: Destination NSW.