Workforce Development
THA Careers Expo: A launchpad for the future
for the Grain of the Silo’s restaurant. Like many of the other tables, I picked up one of their business cards, however this table was different. I stopped and talked to this lady about my current job, she told me that if I was searching for another opportu- nity, to email her through my resume,” Shona said. “Coincidentally in the following two weeks, my place of work at the time closed down, leaving me without a job. I saw this as a sign and emailed through my resume.” For Paul Seaman, the expo represented more than just a recruitment drive – it was a platform for fostering connections and nurturing tal- ent within Tasmania’s hospitality landscape. “As a representative of Pepper’s Silos, the expo provided a unique opportunity to engage with po- tential candidates like Shona,” explains Paul. “Her enthusiasm and eagerness to learn stood out during our interactions, and it was clear she pos- sessed the qualities we value in our team members.” Shona’s journey from attendee to employee ex- emplifies the expo’s capacity to be the conduit for meaningful career advancements. Today, Shona is
Last year, we held our Workforce Development Ca- reers expo at Pepper’s Silo Hotel, and the impact of this event continues to resonate within Tasmania’s hospi- tality industry. Shona Ower, a student attendee turned valued employee at Pepper’s Silos, shares her jour- ney while Paul Seaman, the General Manager, sheds light on the expo’s significance for businesses like his. Initially hesitant to attend while content in her one day a week role at a café, Shona’s decision to ex- plore was driven by curiosity and a desire for growth. “I attended the Tasmanian Hospitality Associa- tion’s career expo just over a year ago, at the Pep- pers Silo Hotel,” recalls Shona. “My experience at this expo shaped my future in hospitality greatly, with so many opportunities coming from this day.” The expo offered attendees a rich tapestry of activi- ties and networking opportunities. Shona, impressed by the variety of hands-on experiences, particular- ly enjoyed honing her coffee-making skills – a talent she would later leverage in her role at Pepper’s Silos.
“At the expo, I went up to the table advertising jobs
18 Tasmanian Hospitality Review April/May Edition
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