Bright spot for local hospitality businesses

WHILE hospitality businesses across the region continue to feel the impact current staff shortages, there is positive news at TAFE Gippsland with a crop of enthusiastic young people committed to a career in the industry.

Other students are at the beginning of their hospitality journey, learning skills and developing confidence that will be of value regardless of their chosen future direction.

Sentinel-Times visited the TAFE’s Wildflower training restaurant on Wednesday, meeting a mixture of Leongatha Secondary College students who were working both front and back of house.

Those serving on the floor have just commenced their Vocational Education and Training Certificate II in Hospitality.

Students working in the kitchen included a blend of those undertaking Certificate II in Commercial Cookery, and others completing Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, with the latter being apprentices.

Bryce Gazzard of Mirboo North was one of Wednesday’s waiters, making this scribe feel welcome and well looked after.

While the year 12 student only recently commenced his quest for a hospitality career, he has thrown himself into learning, having now begun his Certificate II in Hospitality at the TAFE while also undertaking work experience at Lamezleighs cafe in his hometown.

Such is Bryce’s desire to make hospitality a long-term career, he approached Lamezleighs for the opportunity.

He outlined what he enjoys about hospitality and his aspirations in the industry, along with his willingness to build a strong knowledge base.

“I like seeing people’s faces when they have a nice meal and get served well,” Bryce said, adding that he is keen to gain a broad mix of skills across all hospitality sectors in the coming years.

That desire is reflected by the fact that while he is out front with customers at Wildflower, Bryce is learning kitchen skills at the Mirboo North café.

His goal is to eventually own a club or restaurant.

Hospitality trainer Kevin Campbell provides support and guidance at the TAFE restaurant and loves seeing the transformation in his young charges from nervous beginnings to confident individuals who have gained valuable practical job skills.

While some started that journey on Wednesday, Kevin pointed out that a number of those honing their skills at Wildflower are already a part of the broader hospitality industry.

“We’ve got some who work in the local area, and some have got hospitality jobs from doing the course at the moment,” Kevin said.

Second year apprentice and Leongatha Secondary College VCE student Zara McKenzie was hard at work in the Wildflower kitchen, inspired to become a chef by her father.

She now works alongside him in the Leongatha RSL kitchen, while further developing her skills at the TAFE.

“I like the creative side,” Zara said, explaining that she loves exploring the different ways you can present food and its array of colours.

“It’s a hobby as well as a job,” Zara added.

Kevin spoke of both the immediate appeal of working in hospitality and the benefits of making a career in the industry.

“There are so many job opportunities for people in hospitality and the opportunities are endless once we teach them the basics,” Kevin said.

He highlighted the massive shortage of hospitality staff in the local region, saying people in the industry often call the TAFE seeking new staff.

That demand ensures Kevin can confidently make a promise to new students about their futures.

“I say to them when they start, ‘If you come to every class and learn, I’ll get you a job’,” Kevin said.

He added that with the course finishing in October, students will have gained the skills and confidence to work in local businesses as the busy tourist season 
approaches.

Kevin has 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry both front and back of house in a wide range of business types.

“If you have a job in hospitality you can work anywhere in the world; you can get so much work and you can learn so many different things,” Kevin said, adding that in hospitality you are always learning.

As well as different approaches from business to business, he noted food and beverage trends change dramatically, such as the current popularity of alcohol free spirits that enable people to remain sober while enjoying the real flavours of cocktails.

Cookery trainer and assessor Jacki Driscoll looks after the Wildflower kitchen and spoke of the importance of rebuilding the hospitality skill base given the current shortage of staff sparked by the pandemic.

“We had a lot of people lose their jobs in hospitality because some businesses just couldn’t survive and we’ve now got a huge skills shortage because people have found jobs in other areas,” Jacki said.