THA_Review_Magazine_June_2021

VISITOR EXPERIENCE TRAINING

Emilie Donovan - VXT CEO

Who we are Courtesy of a $1 million grant from the Tasmanian Government, the shareholders Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) and the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT) jointly established a training company. The company initially launched as ‘Tasmanian Hospitality and Tourism Training’ last November and has now been renamed ‘Visitor Experience Training’, or as we like to be known – VXT. The new trading name reflects our whole industry approach. It draws inspiration from the belief that every customer that comes through our doors is a visitor, whether they be local regulars or interstate travellers. We want each and every one of them to have a truly Tasmanian experience. Why we’re different VXT is industry-led and outcome-focused, and we’ve got the workforce training needs of our hospitality and tourism industries at the core of our program development.

What are we doing now? A recent training survey conducted has indicated the need for a range of specialised short courses designed to provide pathways for Tasmanians to gain the skills required to enter into the industry. In response to this data, VXT prioritises developing a new alternative training program to help fill the critical shortage of cooks. The new course, ‘Classic Cookery’, is designed as a preparation course to provide the core skills and knowledge required of a cook in a café, pub or restaurant. The Classic Cookery course is open for enrolment for anyone interested in working as a cook in a commercial kitchen. We hope this allows Tasmanians of all ages to pursue meaningful and outcome-driven learning so that they can enter the industry job-ready. he course curriculum has been designed by Sharon Croxford, an award- winning expert in online and blended teaching, dietitian and chef, and John Hand, a current chef who is experienced in course design and practical teaching methods. Starting in July, the course will be delivered by a team of experienced industry facilitators with successful graduates completed in time for the upcoming peak season. The course will give participants the key ingredients for future employment opportunities in cafeterias, kiosks, cafés, pubs, function and event catering, and small restaurants. Course Registrations Open: Do you have someone in your team that loves to cook? Why not upskill them to assist in your kitchens. Contact VXT to reserve a spot on the upcoming course. Cookery Jobs: VXT will work with the industry to link the course graduates to businesses with available jobs for the coming peak season and subsequently measure the outcomes from the training into job placements. Do you have cook positions available now or in the near future? Notify VXT to be first in line to connect to the Classic Cookery graduates.

Minister Sarah Courtney with VXT CEO Emilie Donovan and VXT Board Members from left Kath McCann TICT nominee director, COO Beacon Foundation | Ben Carpenter THA nominee director, Owner Beach Hotel | Aaron Devine Independent Chair, CEO Ohana For Youth, Arcadia College and Ohana College | Steve Old THA nominee director, CEO THA | Ben Targett TICT nominee director, CEO The Old Woolstore and Hadley’s Orient Hotel

THA HOSPITALITY—REVIEW: JUNE 2021 | 26

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