Workforce Development
THA School Showcases take hospitality to the next level Our 2024 School Showcases are well underway and it’s clear that this year’s events are setting a new standard for engaging the next generation of hospitality. With the Devonport showcases successfully completed and Hobart’s sessions in full swing, students from across Tasmania have been treated to a glimpse into the world of hospitality. For the first time, we’ve integrated Virtual Reality (VR) technology into our showcases, offering over 650 students an immersive experience that takes learning beyond the traditional. Through VR, we’ve given students the chance to step into a busy cocktail bar, test their skills in a kitchen simulator, and explore the creativity and precision required in various hospitality roles — all in a safe and controlled environment. Our goal with this year’s showcases is to provide an interactive and modern approach to exploring the hospitality industry. The introduction of VR has been a game-changer. It’s not only captivated the students but also deepened their understanding of the potential career paths available to them in hospitality. “The THA is committed to supporting the growth and development of Tasmania’s hospitality industry by fostering young talent and providing educational opportunities,” says Jack Milbourne, the THA’s Workforce Development manager.
goal.”
We kicked off in Devonport at the TasTafe Drysdale campus, where we saw students eagerly dive into both the VR experiences and traditional hands-on activities like mocktail preparation, kitchen skills, barista training, and front-of-house skills. The enthusiasm was infectious, and we were excited to see so many
“Our School Showcases, enhanced by VR technology, represent a significant step towards achieving this
22 Tasmanian Hospitality Review April/May Edition
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