A FREE Work Skills Course that will qualify you with a Certificate 1 in Work Skills will be held at the Tea Gardens Community Technology Centre (CTC) from Wednesday, May 24.
The duration of the course will be 18 hours per week for six weeks, from 9.30am to 3.30pm, with the days yet to be advised.
An information session and enrolment will take place on Wednesday, May 17, at 9.30am at the Masonic Centre, Myall Plaza.
This program, run by North Coast Institute of TAFE, sets out to equip learners with the basic skills and qualifications to work in bars and cafes.
With work experience placement, the employment outcomes for this program are excellent.
Modules include:
* Job seeking skills
* Espresso coffee (Barista level)
* Bar and service of drinks
* RCG, RSA and more
Successful completion of the module competencies will give students advanced standing into further hospitality study and provide foundation skills for work as a trainee.
There are no formal educational requirements for entry to this program, and there is also no cost to enrol. All lesson notes and equipment is provided, however students must provide their own black and white uniform.
Hospitality and Tourism Program Coordinator, Ken Oldfield, explained that the course is designed to give local people in the area a taste of the hospitality industry.
"It is basically targeting the youth in the area, 18 - 24 years of age, but it is certainly not restricted to youth alone," explained Mr Oldfield.
The idea for the course to take place in Tea Gardens has been in the pipeline for around a year, and discussions were held with the Tea Gardens CTC and the local Chamber of Commerce.
"Trevor Cook from the CTC approached us for funding for the course and we have managed to secure that funding," said Mr Oldfield.
"The Hawks Nest Golf Club have offered to have their bar available for on-site training, which we appreciate, and the barista level of coffee making will be held in the kitchen of the Masonic Centre," he said.
In regards to work experience placement, Mr Oldfield hopes that students will be placed in the Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest area.
"The students will approach the employer themselves, as this is good training for them, and then we will approach the employer to discuss formalities such as insurance.
"The work experience period is generally 30 hours over a two week period," continued Mr Oldfield.
North Coast Institute of TAFE have run this particular course before, in Bulahdelah, Forster, Gloucester and Taree, but it is a first for the Tea Gardens area.
"The courses we have run previously, attracted people from the ages of 18 - 60, so age is certainly not an issue.
"However we will only be taking 12 applicants, so there is a limited number of spots available.
"The people we are looking for need to be motivated, service orientated and be a people person, as well as have a keen interest and passion for the hospitality industry," explained Mr Oldfield.
The application process will involve filling out a short form followed by a quick interview of two to three minutes.
"It is a basic entry level course and would not suit someone who already had extensive experience in the hospitality industry," said Mr Oldfield.
He stated that people who have previously completed this course have been quite successful in gaining employment within the hospitality industry.
"As long as they were keen, turned up to class and completed their work experience, they seemed to have no trouble finding suitable employment within the industry," said Mr Oldfield.
Manager of the Tea Gardens CTC, Trevor Cook, told the NOTA he was really pleased to see that North Coast Institute of TAFE have been able to get the funding for this course for Tea Gardens.
"It will be of great value to our job seekers in the area, particularly for the younger members of the community.
"I was also pleased to see the results of the CTC in getting this course and other TAFE training available locally," he said.
Mr Cook added that in addition, TAFE is also intending to offer courses in
* Microsoft Office;
* Small Business Management and
* General Business Management.
Further details on these courses and forms of expressions of interest can be obtained from the Tea Gardens CTC.
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