CoE Update | August 2023

The Centre of Excellence Introduction to Australian Wines nine-week online course commenced this month with sixteen students who are currently working in the industry who want to learn more about the Australian wine industry.
 
This course will cover in-depth information on all the major wine-growing regions as well as outlining Australian wine history, viticulture, winemaking and future trends.
 
This new knowledge will help these employees to learn about local wines and be more confident when serving or selling Australian wines.

Following on from the success of the four previous Schools Days held in the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley, the Centre of Excellence was approached by the Education Pathways Program in the Southern Illawarra to develop a program and deliver a similar event for eleven High Schools in the Southern Illawarra region.
 
The Illawarra Tourism & Hospitality Experience Schools Day was held at The Lodge in Jamberoo in August and included presentations from local tourism and hospitality experts to inspire 80 Year 12 students to consider a career in tourism and/or hospitality. Students were encouraged to ask questions and interact with the presenters who spoke on Commercial Cookery, Front of House, Venue Management, Outdoor and Recreation, Event Management and Tourism Marketing.

The Centre of Excellence recently hosted an online presentation that provided an overview of what programs are currently available for industry to participate in to future-proof their business and share tips on how they can strengthen connections with future employees.

Presenters were three industry professionals who will provide practical advice to support employers on how they can engage with schools and TAFE NSW students that can be immediately actioned.

The session also included case study on how one local business has had great success in working with local schools to attract trainees that have supported it business.

Watch the webinar recording here.

In June 2022 the Centre of Excellence conducted an industry survey to gain insights into the challenges the tourism and hospitality operators were experiencing following the fallout from bushfires and COVID-19.  The data provided enabled the Centre of Excellence to develop a calendar of programs and events that have been delivered to support the industry. This was more than fifteen months ago and we would like to again ask the industry to identify what, if anything, has changed and what are the current challenges being faced by operators.

This survey will be circulated the first week in September and we encourage you to complete to allow the Centre of Excellence to review its current programs to ensure they meet the needs of the industry.

What’s Coming Up in September

Local Knowledge Famil – Shoalhaven Local Produce

Spend a day experiencing and learning about the abundance of local produce in the Shoalhaven. The Centre of Excellence is organising a famil that takes in some of the leading producers in the Shoalhaven along with some new businesses. Featuring coffee roasters, seafood producers, distilleries and more – the Shoalhaven Food & Beverage Producers famil is set to tickle your tastebuds and provide you with “foodie” experiences that visitors and locals love!

The day will start in Nowra with a coffee masterclass before moving throughout the region taking in boutique producers and growers including an oyster masterclass from Australian Oyster Shucking Champion, Sally McLean.

Places on the famil will be limited. To apply to be on the famil click here.

This event is heavily booked, so if you are interested, please submit your application before the closing date of 7 September 2023.

What’s Coming Up in October

The Centre of Excellence has partnered with the Department of Regional NSW to present three Indigenous Connections famils in the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley in October and November.

Indigenous Connections Famil – Bega Valley  |  Wednesday, 25 October 2023
This full day program beings with a special Welcome to Country performed by the Twofold Aboriginal Corporation at Jigamy Farm.

The program will include a morning activity exploring Lake Pambula and learning about the Indigenous culture and visiting some of the best preserved middens on the south cost of Australia. The afternoon activity will include a “Walking on Country” experience at Jigamy Farm to learn about the significance of Aboriginal lands, plants and animals, rich history and local ancient traditions.

Participants will attend an information session hosted by Marcus Arvidson, CEO, Twofold Aboriginal Land Council who will share the plans for the future development of Jigamy Farm. The day will conclude with an Indigenous Cultural event with a Corroboree featuring performers including local dancers and Indigenous representatives sharing knowledge.

Attendance on this famil will be strictly limited. Please click here for more information and how to apply.

Indigenous Connections Famil – Shoalhaven  |  Tuesday, 31 October 2023 
The Shoalhaven has a range of Indigenous tourism and cultural experiences and this famil will showcase four operators who have established tourism products. Participants will also learn about the local Indigenous culture and traditions.

This is a full day experience that will start with a Welcome to Country at the Nowra Showgrounds before attendees board coaches to experience two local Indigenous tourism products. You will gain intimate knowledge of the local Indigenous culture through stories shared by local Indigenous tour hosts and others throughout the day. 

The famil will conclude with an Indigenous cultural event at Bundanon where participants will receive a sneak peak of a new Indigenous Art Exhibition followed by a Corroboree featuring many of the Shoalhaven’s performers including professional dancers, school troupes and representatives from the Local Aboriginal Land Councils sharing their knowledge. 

Attendance on this famil will be strictly limited. Please click here for more information and how to apply.
 

Short Skills Course

A Short Skills Course will be held in October in Narooma and Nowra to gain knowledge and skills needed to work in the hospitality industry. Local businesses in hospitality, entertainment and tourism are seeking skilled, certified and motivated workers. Cafés, restaurants, clubs, hotels, parks, recreational facilities (just to name a few) offer both part-time casual jobs and permanent roles with solid career pathways.

The course will include the following subject units:

• SITXFSA001 – Use hygienic practices for food safety
• SITHFAB005 – Prepare and serve espresso coffee
• SITHF002 – (RSA) Responsible service of alcohol
• SITHGAM022 – (RCG) Provide responsible conduct of gambling

Course dates and venues:

• Club Narooma, 16-20 October 2023
• Nowra Ex-Services Club, 9-13 October 2023

Details on who is eligible to apply for this course will be circulated in early September.
For more information on this course please contact Robyn Johnson: [email protected]

What’s Coming Up in November

Indigenous Connections Famil – Eurobodalla

Wednesday, 15 November 2023
The Eurobodalla has a number of established tourism operators and products that participants on this famil will have the opportunity to experience and learn from representatives from the local Indigenous community.

This will be a full day famil that will start with a Welcome to Country performed by local indigenous representatives before attendees board coaches to experience two local Indigenous tourism products. You will gain intimate knowledge of the local Indigenous culture through stories shared by local indigenous tour hosts and others throughout the day. 

The famil will conclude with an Indigenous cultural event at the Eurobodalla Regional Botanical Gardens where participants will participate in a Corroboree featuring many of the Eurobodalla’s performers including professional dancers, school troupes and representatives from the Local Aboriginal Land Councils sharing their knowledge. 

Attendance on this famil will be strictly limited. Please click here for more information and how to apply.
 

Customer Service Presentations

During the week commencing the 20th November, the Centre of Excellence will deliver a series of seminars presented by Samantha Cox on the importance of customer service to attract and retain customers.

Samantha has an impressive background with over 20 years experience in hospitality and VIP guest services roles and she will share her tips on understanding basic effective customer service and the importance of customer satisfaction to boost your business.

Other Skills Training and Education

TAFE NSW Short Courses

Missed out on Semester 2? Don’t worry – any time is a good time to learn with TAFE NSW. Choose from a short course in Food and Hospitality or Tourism and Events, or enrol in a range of online certificates and diplomas with TAFE Digital.

Turn your passion into a career:

• Beer Brewing
• Barista Skills – advanced or basic skills

Level up your cooking skills:

• Cake Decorating
• Chocolate Skills
• Cookery Skills
• BBQ Masterclass

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:

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.