Workforce Development
Kirsten Bacon
Invaluable Exposure
fantastic. One student said to me “I learnt a lot about the industry, I never knew there were so many different trades and jobs within the industry. I felt exposed to so many learning opportunities and it was great to see a whole range of teaching and training styles as well. The whole event has something for everyone. I now really want to get an apprenticeship in this industry.”
It goes without saying that having an experienced person teaching and training others is invaluable. People who have been within hospitality for many years with diverse experiences are an absolute asset to any young person wanting to break into the industry. For some years now I have been taking my students to pretty much anything the THA puts on that exposes my students to the real and authentic world of hospitality. Every time I go with my crew, I also get to reconnect with facets of the industry that I no longer have a lot to do with, so it’s wonderful to be able to see my students relishing, and absorbing, as much information as possible. So how is this an invaluable experience? The students I work with are studying Vocational Educational training (VET) Hospitality/Cookery and tourism programs with the Department of Education Children and Young People (DECYP), formally The Department of Education. For those not familiar with the concept of VET training, it is designed to give students a real insight into the industry, obtain practical, hands-on experience from work experience with collaborating workplaces, gain familiarity on how workplaces operate, develop employability skills and improve and develop interpersonal skills to enable them to find opportunities to explore potential career paths. Being exposed to key personnel in the industry and practical hands-on experiences is invaluable. This leads to relationship development with also potential work placement opportunities. We know work placement provides critical learning experience with real-life, practical workplace experiences. As a result, students don’t just apply their learned knowledge and skills but also grow their employability and transferable skills while building relationships and networking within the hospitality industry. This is where relationships with workplaces and employers is critical in providing placement opportunities for students whose courses require workplace assessments. Attending events such as the recent Hospitality Career Expos is so important. Watching the students engage and participate in barista making or cocktail shaking is
Other students when questioned about the validity and the value of the event told us they soaked up the experience, with other feedback such as: “It was fantastic to talk to the people that could talk to you about where to go after college like MEGT and TasTAFE, I never really knew what I could do after college.” “Big shout out to Roger, Peter, Liam, Jack and Dan. These guys changed the way I looked at this industry, I was only interested in getting a job in a bar to make some quick money but now I’m actually thinking of it as a career.” “I loved that I could go onto other training even though my teacher has told me there are other opportunities, I feel now after attending this event that I have a more concrete idea of where I want to go.”
“Wow who knew there were so many different jobs in this industry.”
Kirsten Bacon is a passionate and enthusiastic VET trainer/ teacher who has over 45 years’ experience in the industry. Kirsten is enthusiastic about raising the profile of VET training in schools and developing working and collaborative relationship with industry and schools.
45 Tasmanian Hospitality Review April/May Edition
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