Regional skills shortage creates opportunities for schools
As industries across the country confront the impacts of the pandemic, staffing has become a major struggle for businesses. Australia is facing the second most severe skills shortage in the developed world, with job vacancies at an all time high in regional areas.
Border closures have led to gaps where jobs were previously filled by backpackers, migrants and international students. At the height of the pandemic more than 660,000 temporary visa holders left Australia, many of them hospitality workers. This has left many venues operating at a reduced capacity, with some regional hotels being forced to warn patrons of lower service levels as they don’t have enough staff.
The demand for labour has required new commitments to the development of the regional workforce. Schools are seizing the opportunity to align education and training with the skills needed in the workforce, including a success story at one of Edstart's partner schools in Taree on the Mid-North Coast of NSW.
Investing in purpose-built facilities
MidCoast Christian College is tackling the skills shortage in their local community by helping students acquire skills and qualifications in growth industries. After speaking with those in the industry, the College said employers in the region were ‘desperately crying out for hospitality workers’. Last year, the school built a half a million dollar fully functional, industry standard hospitality kitchen.
Students at MidCoast Christian College can complete a Certificate II in Kitchen Operations - a nationally recognised VET qualification. They learn about the kitchen side of a hospitality establishment - hygiene, safety, basic cuts, methods of cookery, food laws, barista skills, function cooking and food presentation.
Developing practical skills
The school recognised that while some students wish to attend university after high school, many would prefer a career that is more ‘hands on’. This was reflected in the latest census data, which revealed that students have turned away from university degrees in favour of trades and vocational courses.
In the course students build the technical skills and industry knowledge to work in a commercial kitchen as a breakfast cook, catering assistant, fast food cook, sandwich hand or takeaway cook. The qualification gives them a head start by providing a strong pathway to continue their studies at TAFE, or go straight into the workforce after high school.
The course also focuses on soft skills such as communication, teamwork and punctuality, to get students ready for the workforce.
A promising cohort
The hospitality course has become the most popular subject selected for Year 12 students this year, with one Year 11 class and one Year 12 class - both running at capacity.
Students also complete work placement hours within the industry. Upon completing their placements, many MidCoast Christian College students have already received offers for employment once they finish school.
Business Manager, Andrew Kent, said that the school is very happy with the quality of the course they’re offering and the calibre of students picking hospitality.
“We have a skills shortage - so in our own way, in this pocket of the Mid-North Coast we’re trying to pump out students who can go straight into the industry,” said Andrew.
About Edstart
Edstart is a leading technology and financial services company providing funding and payment services for education. We offer fee management solutions to schools and flexible payment plans to parents to help make school fees easier to manage.
To see how we can help you, visit our main website.
Find out more
Edstart is a leading technology and financial services company providing funding and payment services for education. We offer fee management solutions to schools and flexible payment plans to parents to help make school fees easier to manage.
To see how we can help you, visit our main website.
Find out more