tourism training australia national conference addresses issues!

Last Thursday, the Tourism Training Australia National Conference was held at the Four Season’s Hotel, Sydney.

There were over 150 delegates representing key industry operators, government, industry associations, unions, private providers, TAFE and universities. The conference provided an excellent forum to exchange views and share intelligence about government policy, economic drivers and training needs impacting on the sector now and into the future.

Presentations by Peter Mackey from Austrade, Brian Wexham from the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence, John Hart from Restaurant and Catering Australia, Jayson Westbury from the Federation of Travel Agents and Susan Briggs a senior consultant and expert on National Training Packages were well received.

The main focus related to the strengthening of the new National Training Packages which addresses the quality of delivery of training within Australia across all boards. More important discussion was a passionate delivery by John Hart, NEO, Restaurant & Catering Association Australia, in relation to the issues of worsening skills shortages in hospitality and the current governments ‘brick wall’ policy on reversing any recent decisions and the effect it will have. Data produced was from a number of sources including DEEWR Web and other Census Data and showed an alarming outlook for labour shortages in hospitality toward the near future. Other discussion related to the use of the media to relay important messages and promoting individual success stories, particularly our ‘student champions’!

The event culminated in the Annual Awards dinner with over 400 guests and VIP’s including The Hon Bruce Baird, Sir Laurence Street and Doug Donoghue, AM Vice President of the NSW Olympic Council. The Tourism Training RTO award winners included the AHA NSW, the International College of Hotel Management Adelaide, Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, UNSW, Sydney Institute of Technology, Tourism Transport Forum NSW, Hospitality Training Network and Evolution Hospitality Training. A big congratulations to them all!

Melinda Larkin (ACPET NSW) and The Hon Bruce Baird enjoying the TTA Awards night

Stuart Page, General Manager of Evolution Hospitality Training accepts his award presented by Sir Laurence Street.