CoE Update | November 2022

November 30th, 2022

Welcome to the latest Centre of Excellence Update

Small Business Week

The Centre of Excellence (CoE) presented at the South Coast Tourism Industry Association launch event during Small Business Week.
Sarah O’Mara, Director of Flare Access, was also a featured guest speaker who presented on how to increase market share and grow revenue by improving the access and inclusion of their customer experience for people with disability.

Local Knowledge Famils

The CoE continued its famil series designed to increase the local industry’s awareness of the depth and breadth of incredible produce and tourism experiences on offer on the NSW South Coast.

Twenty-nine of the local industry toured their own backyard to experience the Bega Valley’s finest producers. First stop was the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre for a lesson in how dairying has shaped the culture of the Bega Valley. Next was Wheelers Restaurant and Oyster Bar for the farm to plate experience followed by an informative commentary at Broadwater Oysters on oyster farming, showcasing the beautiful natural environment of Pambula and Merimbula.

The group lunched on delicious pizzas at Longstocking Brewery and tasted its many craft beers and ciders, along with a presentation from Nine Circles Distillery and sampling its award-winning gin.

The tour continued to Breakfast Creek Winery that showcased its selection of locally produced wines and Camel Rock Brewery for more craft brews with the final stop of the day at Humpback Brewery at the Tathra Hotel.

These famils are expanding local industry knowledge with participants saying:
“Thank you very much for organising this event, it was a wonderful opportunity to meet other tourism operators. I can now confidently make recommendations for visitor food experiences to my guests. Thank you.”

“A great day connecting with others in industry and learning about local providers. The famil was well organised and ran smoothly. Fantastic tasting of local food and bevvies. Thanks for everyone involved in organising.”

The CoE thanks the Gourmet Coast Trail for their input into the famil program.

Tourism and Hospitality Experience Schools Day

The CoE last week piloted an event to inspire school students to consider a career in tourism and hospitality. The inaugural Tourism and Hospitality Experience (T.H.E) Schools Day was held at Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla.

The program included presentations and activities, planned and delivered by industry experts who shared their career journeys with 80 students in Years 9 to 11, currently studying hospitality from eight high schools across the Shoalhaven.

Students were advised of the opportunities available to them from these experts and how they have built careers in tourism and hospitality that have enabled them to travel the world, work with famous and influential people, and attend extraordinary events.

Students were provided with information on the courses available to start them on their own tourism and hospitality career journey. Presentations on Commercial Cookery, Venue Management, Food Service, Outdoor Recreation, Event Management and Tourism Marketing made up the full day program.

The outcomes from this event will be reviewed, with the aim of repeating the program in the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley in 2023.

As part of the Educational Pathways Program, the CoE has identified more than 20 businesses across the Shoalhaven that have indicated they would be interested in working with the schools through school-based apprenticeships and traineeships and opportunities for work experience with local festivals and events. This initiative is a great opportunity for the students to immerse themselves in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Businesses interested in this program are encouraged to complete this short survey.

Hospitality is Hiring Campaign

The South Coast Hospitality Is Hiring Campaign aims to ease some of the pressure on tourism and hospitality businesses by connecting job seekers into jobs that have been pledged by local operators, particularly over the summer period.

If you are or you know someone who is looking for casual or permanent work in the hospitality or tourism industry, click here

Businesses that need staff are asked to visit the campaign website to pledge the jobs they need filled. The Team at the Local Jobs Program will work with employment service providers and other organisations to match job seekers into these roles. All pledged jobs will also be posted to the jobs board on the campaign website and will be promoted heavily across the region.

The CoE supports this campaign that also encourages jobseekers to consider a career in hospitality.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on how the CoE can support you or your business, please send me an email [email protected]

Speak soon,
Robyn & Sam

December Program

Business and Tourism Talk – Batemans Bay

The CoE is partnering with the Eurobodalla Shire Council to present a Business and Tourism Talk at the Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens at Batemans Bay.

Anna Finch from Kardia HR, will facilitate a session on the attracting and retaining employees, and will interview three local tourism and hospitality operators on what initiatives and practices they have developed to create and sustain a strong workforce.

The presentation will be followed complimentary Christmas drinks and networking.
Click here to register for this event.

Other Skills Training and Education

Looking to Start a New Business in Tourism and Hospitality?

Register for this FREE online Exploring Self Employment Workshops to see if investigating if Self Employment is for you.

Read more in the program flyer here and register via the form here.

. . .

NSW First Program

Destination NSW delivers the NSW First Program to assist tourism businesses across the state to develop, promote and sell their tourism products.

It includes face to face workshops and online webcasts that offer ‘how-to’ insights on a range of topics for the tourism industry, with events regularly added to the calendar.

Find out more and view on demand webcasts on the Destination NSW website.

For assistance with the NSW First Program and to discuss your business’ needs, please contact the Industry Development Manager at your Destination Network:

For Shoalhaven operators:
Aaron Matis
Destination Sydney Surrounds South
[email protected]

For Eurobodalla & Bega Valley operators:
Jenny Robb
Destination Southern NSW
[email protected]

. . .

Business Connect

Looking for support in running your business? Find and book a Business Connect webinar or event from business experts. Develop your business skills and help your business achieve its potential. Visit the Business Connect website for further details.

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.

Images: (1,5-8) T.H.E. Schools Day Shoalhaven at Cupitt’s Estate. (2-4) Bega Valley Local Knowledge Famil.