Welcome to the Centre of Excellence September Update
September has been a very busy month for the Centre of Excellence. A range of programs have been delivered with many more scheduled to take place across the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley LGAs.
Hospitality is Hiring Campaign
The South Coast Hospitality Is Hiring Campaign was launched early September that 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.
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 then 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 of the campaign website and promoted heavily across the region.
The Centre of Excellence supports this campaign that also encourages jobseekers to consider a career in hospitality.
If you’re looking for casual or permanent work in the hospitality or tourism industry, register via the campaign website here.
Local Knowledge Famil – Shoalhaven Wineries and Breweries
The first of a series of famils was held in September. The Shoalhaven Local Knowledge Famil was a resounding success with 100% of the 29 attendees providing positive feedback on the increased knowledge of local products and producers addressing one of the challenges identified by industry in the CoE survey.
The famil itinerary visited five wineries and two breweries including Cupitt’s Estate, Dangerous Ales Brewery, Jervis Bay Brewery, Silos Estate, Mountain Ridge Wines Restaurant and Cellar Door, Coolangatta Estate, and Two Figs Winery. Each producer presented on the unique characteristics of their produce to educate the attendees on their visitor experience. The famil provided the attendees with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of producers and grow their network of industry contacts.
Feedback from attendees:
I am so pleased I had the opportunity to attend the Shoalhaven Local Produce Tour, the knowledge I have gained is invaluable, I feel I can advise my guests on places to visit with confidence. Who knew we had so many? Thank you
Local Produce Famils are scheduled to be held in Eurobodalla on Wednesday 19 October and Bega Valley on Wednesday 26 October. If you wish to attend these famils, please refer to links below in the October Program.
Business After Hours – Ulladulla
The CoE partnered with the Shoalhaven Council, Shoalhaven Business Chamber and Business Milton Ulladulla in presenting a Business After Hours event on 21st September in Ulladulla.
The one-hour professional development session that was facilitated by Anna Finch of Kardia HR, discussed onboarding and retaining employees. Anna interviewed three local business people, Kierrin McKnight of Wildginger Restaurant, Mel Louth of Cupitt’s Estate and Bernie Brown, of ExServices Group, who shared their experience in attracting and retaining their teams in this tight labour market. The presentation was followed by an industry networking event.
Visa Options for Employing Workers in Australia Presentation
The CoE partnered with the Department of Home Affairs through the Business Industry and Regional Outreach program to present a seminar to provide local tourism and hospitality operators with information on the current visa options available to attract overseas workers. A listing of useful links from the day is available to download here.
The CoE is liaising with the Department of Home Affairs to arrange similar seminars in the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley.
Until next time, we’d love to hear your thoughts on how the CoE can support you.
Talk soon,
Robyn & Sam
October Program
Local Knowledge Famils – Local Produce
Local knowledge of front-line tourism and hospitality workers play a crucial role in shaping a visitors’ stay in regions and the CoE will be delivering two local knowledge famils in the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley. These famils are designed to grow their knowledge and network of the local producers and industry contacts.
In October, the CoE is offering two local knowledge famils:
To be eligible to attend, you must be in a customer facing role in tourism and hospitality.
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Business & Tourism After Hours – Merimbula
On Thursday 27th October the CoE is partnering with Sapphire Coast Tourism Future and Bega Valley Business Forum to present a Business & Tourism After Hours presentation and networking event at Merimbula RSL Club.
Kelly Maher from local HR practice Resources for Humans will be facilitating a discussion around the staffing initiatives that have come out of the recently held Australian Jobs and Skills Summit and what this could mean for Bega Valley businesses.
This event should provide business owners with some valuable tools to help attract and retain staff and also give them the opportunity to network with other business owners and share valuable information about the challenges facing the industry.
More information and registrations available here
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November Program
Small Business Week Seminar
The CoE is partnering with the South Coast Tourism Association during Small Business Week to deliver a seminar on 3 November at the Nowra Golf Club. More information on this event will be available soon.
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T.H.E. Schools Day (Tourism and Hospitality Experience) – Shoalhaven
On Tuesday 22nd November the CoE will pilot a new program, T.H.E. (Tourism and Hospitality Experience) Schools Day, to engage and inspire school students to consider a career in tourism and/or hospitality.
Often regarded as what you do when you are studying, a career in tourism and hospitality offers so much more.
Students will hear from industry experts who have travelled the world with their skills, experienced the most exciting events and who have built extraordinary careers.
The event will be limited to 80 students from across the Shoalhaven.
Download the event flyer here.
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Other Skills Training and Education
Bega Valley Jobs Drive
Local Chambers of Commerce, the Illawarra South Coast Local Jobs Program, TAFE, employment service providers and other industry experts are coming together to run a Jobs Drive for the Bega Valley over the next month.
The Bega Valley Jobs Drive event kicks off this Saturday 1st October in Merimbula, with a program being led by the Merimbula Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Local Jobs Program.
The event is designed to bring together all kinds of Job Seekers including those looking for seasonal work, school leavers and anyone looking for employment, and then matching them with Local Employers.
The event will run from 12-3pm out of the new Bendigo Bank Community Office Space – Centrepoint Square, Market Street, Merimbula (near the Merimbula Visitor Information Centre).
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Study online with TAFE NSW
Interested in studying, but want it to work around your schedule? No problem. Study anytime, anywhere with TAFE Digital.
When you study with TAFE Digital you’re set up for success with teacher support, personalised training plans to keep you on track and 24/7 access to study materials.
Explore over 200 online short courses, certificates, diplomas and degrees, across a range of growth industries. Explore tourism, hospitality and events online courses.
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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:
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For Shoalhaven operators:
Aaron Matis
Destination Sydney Surrounds South
[email protected]
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For Eurobodalla & Bega Valley operators:
Jenny Robb
Destination Southern NSW
[email protected]
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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.
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Looking for more information?
For further information on the Centre of Excellence, please contact:
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Robyn Johnson
Manager Skills and Opportunities
[email protected]
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Sam Tooley
Industry Partnerships Specialist
[email protected]
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This Local Economic Recovery project is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the New South Wales Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
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Images: (1) Shoalhaven Local Knowledge Famil. (2-3) Ulladulla Business After Hours event, credit: Katie Rivers.
(4) Merimbula Business & Tourism Talk event banner. (5) TAFE NSW Digital program banner.
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