CoE Update | February 2023

March Program

Centre of Excellence Scholarship Program

The Centre of Excellence has partnered with TAFE NSW to offer a scholarship open to hospitality workers currently working in the industry to complete a SIT30622 Certificate in Hospitality qualification.

The scholarship program includes opportunities for recipients to access the following Centre of Excellence programs to support their studies:

• Mentorship through the Centre of Excellence Mentor Program where you are matched to an industry mentor who will guide you through your education and skills development
   
• Invitations to attend industry famils to experience the tourism and hospitality offerings in your own backyard
   
• Enrolment to attend the “Introduction to Australian Wine” course delivered by the Sydney Wine Academy
   
• Invitation to attend relevant professional development courses

Social Media for Tourism and Hospitality

Sessions on Social Media for Tourism and Hospitality will be held in the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven in March.

Whether you are new to social media or a seasoned social media user, these presentations will provide you a solid understanding of social media and how it can help enhance and grow your business.

There are two sessions that will be presented:

Session 1: Fundamentals of Social Media: Understanding Platforms, Content and Analytics

This session will provide an overview of the foundations of social media including:

• The platforms available
• The basics of writing posting and engaging
• Connections to your broader marketing ecosystem

The presentation will start by covering the basics of each social platform including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tik Tok and Snapchat, Pinterest and blogging.
 

Session 2: Unleashing the Power of Social Media: Deep Dive into Strategy, Data and Analytics

This two-hour deep dive Masterclass on Social Media will provide a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively utilise social media for business purposes. The workshop will cover a range of topics including strategy development, content creation, audience engagement and analytics.

The sessions will be presented by Alana Hay, Founder and Director of multi award-winning marketing and creative agency, Milestone Creative Australia.

For more information and to book to attend please follow the links:

• Bega Valley – Tuesday, 14 March 2023, Tura Beach Country Club, REGISTER HERE
• Eurobodalla – Wednesday, 15 March, Oaks Ranch, Mossy Point, REGISTER HERE
• Shoalhaven – Thursday, 23 March 2023, Bomaderry Bowling Club, REGISTER HERE

March/April/May Program

Local Knowledge Famil Program – Experiences and Attractions

The Centre of Excellence continues its Local Knowledge Famil program in 2023 with three famils held in each of the regions to promote local experiences and attractions to those who work in tourism and hospitality customer facing roles.

These full day events are designed to increase the knowledge on the local visitor offering so local operators can recommend with confidence what is on offer in their own backyard for visitors to experience adding value to their stay and supporting local tourism products and services.

For more information and how to apply to attend please follow the links:

• Bega Valley – Wednesday 29 March 2023 – Apply Here
• Eurobodalla – Tuesday, 4 April 2023 (Applications available soon)
• Shoalhaven – Tuesday, 2 May 2023 (Applications available soon)

May/June Program

Wine & Spirit Education Trust Award Courses

The Centre of Excellence is offering three Wine & Spirit Trust (WSET) Award courses in May and June.

Wine & Spirit Education Trust Award Level 2 course
The WSET Award 2 course in wines provides an industry standard introduction to the main styles of wine available to front line staff involved in the service and sale of wine. There are two three-day courses available as follows:
 
Narooma – Narooma Golf Club, 17 – 19 May 2023
For information and to apply to attend – Apply Here
 
Nowra – Worrigee Sports Club, 31 May – June 2023
For more information and to apply to attend – Apply Here
 
Wine & Spirit Education Trust Award Level 3 course
The WSET 3 Award in wines is designed for wine service professionals seeking to delve deeper into the world of wines. This qualification provides a detailed understanding of grape growing and wine making. Participants will be able to describe the characteristics of the principal wines of the world and give information on the key factors influencing style, quality and price. This is a six-day course held over three two-day sessions as follows:
 
Narooma – Narooma Golf Club, 15 – 16 May 2023
Nowra – Worrigee Sports Club, 29 May – 30 May 2023
Merimbula – Club Sapphire, 26 -27 June 2023
For more information and to apply to attend – Apply Here

Bega Valley Skills Shortages Survey

The Centre of Excellence is conducting a skills shortage survey of the tourism and hospitality operators in the Bega Valley to evaluate the needs of the community to assist it in scoping programs to support these businesses. 
 
This is a targeted initiative currently being piloted for the Bega Valley and we need the help of businesses in region to get an insight into what skills are required. 
 
With recent changes to government allowances and access to fee free training the Centre of Excellence has identified potential opportunities to upskill and attract new workers to the industry to address skills shortages.
 
If you are a tourism and hospitality operator in the Bega Valley we want to learn about your skills shortages. Please complete the short survey found here.

Watch out for this program that is launching soon!

Centre of Excellence Mentor Program

The value of mentor programs has long been recognised as a valuable resource to upskill and support the development of careers. A mentor can provide a unique perspective, improve self-confidence, expand networks, and increase overall job satisfaction. The value of mentorship extends beyond the workplace.
 
The Centre of Excellence will be launching a Mentor Program in March 2023 and will be calling for Mentors and Mentees to participate. The program is designed to lay the foundations for stronger connected tourism and hospitality industry on the on the New South Wales South Coast.
 
Details on the program will be available soon, however if you are interested in participating in the program please register using this link – Click Here

Centre of Excellence Champions

The aim of the Centre of Excellence is to encourage the tourism and hospitality community on the South Coast to participate in the programs and activities designed to support the industry. To maximise participation the Centre of Excellence and increase the success and effectiveness of these programs, the Centre of Excellence has developed a Champions Program designed to assist us to engage with industry and promote the calendar of events and activities that will be delivered over the next 12 months.

We have invited a number of the industry operators from across the three regions to be Centre of Excellence Champions who will be announced in our regular updates over the next few months. Their bios and photos will be posted on the Centre of Excellence website shortly.

• Nicole Austin, Co-founder / Manager, Toast Café Pambula
• Oliver Battern, Manager Tourism & Events (Acting) Eurobodalla Shire Council, Moruya
• Sally Bouckley, Director, Southbound Escapes, Narooma
• Bernie Brown ACCM MAICD,CEO Shoalhaven Ex-Services Group
• Matthew Edwards, Operations Manager, Batemans Bay Soldiers Club
• Corinne East, Executive Manager Easts Holiday Parks, Narooma/Moruya/Batemans Bay
• Camilla Hamiford, Paperbark Camp, Woollamia
• Hanna Marshall,Operations / Marketing Manager – Core Asset Developments, Eden
• Bronwyn Pividori, Owner Pividori, Tathra
• Rupert Sakora,General Manager Bannisters Mollymook
• Brenda Sambrook, Kangaroo Valley Olives
• Jessica Taunton, Operations, Navigate Expeditions, Tathra
• Josh Tyler, General Manager, The Oaks Ranch, Mossy Point
• Lucy Wilson, Breakfast Creek Winery, Coolagolite
• Sharon Woodcock, Managing Director, Ponte Bar and Dining, Nowra

We are delighted to have this support and look forward to working with all of the Champions throughout the year.

Other Skills Training and Education

TAFE NSW Commercial Cookery and Hospitality Courses Available at TAFE NSW 2023



To view the full list of courses available – Click Here

TAFE NSW Industry Feedback Session – Hospitality and Commercial Cookery

TAFE NSW is committed to helping grow the state’s economy, transforming lives, and making communities a better place to live and work. They are seeking out feedback from industry professionals on current challenges with our delivery model and suggested improvements and innovations. If you are a hospitality employer of apprentices and trainees, past or present, TAFE NSW welcome your insights

For more information and to register your attendance – Click Here
 
Muslim Host Training Program

The growth of the Muslim population and their increasing disposable income have resulted in a large number of Muslims taking up travel for leisure, business, healthcare and religious reasons.

This increase has seen Muslim travellers becoming one of the fastest growing travel segments in the tourism industry.

Australian Tourism Export Council and Tourism Australia have created a ‘Muslim Host – Market & Culture Ready’ training program aimed at providing insights on how to service the needs of the Muslim traveller.

The 60-minute program is online and interactive, with self-paced learning modules.

Additional resources include the Muslim Host Handbook, a supplementary guide on how to service inbound Muslim travellers. There’s also a dedicated community page to asks questions, make comments and share experiences.

To read more – Click 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:

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: