Queensland’s leading hospitality school produces its first six-star Gold Coast graduates

The Gold Coast is going six-star, as the first students graduate from a unique international hotel and hospitality industry program that is producing highly-skilled and job-ready hospitality employees.

Minister for Training and Skills Yvette D’Ath today met five of the first seven Gold Coast graduates, who will spearhead the push to meet future demand in Queensland’s tourism industry.

A second Gold Coast class is due to graduate next week, highlighting the rapid growth in the ranks of highly-skilled hospitality workers, ahead of major tourism events including the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Mrs D’Ath joined TAFE Queensland and The Star Entertainment Group at Jupiters Gold Coast today to congratulate the six-star International Hospitality Service Program students, who have trained at the Queensland Hotel & Hospitality School, which was established by TAFE Queensland and The Star Entertainment Group last year.

“The school aims to develop the state’s next generation of five and six-star hospitality workers to meet growing demand and to lift the quality of the entire industry, particularly in South East Queensland,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“These Gold Coast graduates will be able to move ahead in leaps and bounds after undertaking six-star hospitality training and work experience with some of Queensland’s largest hotel groups and industry partners through this program.

“I attended the program’s launch in Brisbane last year, and after seeing the first Brisbane graduates all secure jobs, it is wonderful to be able to celebrate the achievements of this pioneering group on the Gold Coast.

“All now have the confidence and skills to deliver five and six-star food and beverage service as the state prepares for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, current and proposed expansion of Jupiters, and the multi-billion dollar Queen’s Wharf Brisbane integrated resort.”

TAFE Queensland CEO Jodi Schmidt said the three-month program provides skills for work in five and six-star hotels and restaurants, with graduates receiving an accredited Certificate III in Hospitality.

“We’re proud of our partnership with The Star Entertainment Group to help drive the successful training of our future generations in SEQ, and I extend my congratulations to our first Gold Coast graduates for their commitment and enthusiasm to completing this program,” Ms Schmidt said.

“The students’ six-star training will help them secure exciting careers in tourism and hospitality, and help raise the local service culture to enable our state to compete with the best in the world.”

The Star Entertainment Group CEO Matt Bekier said the company’s major investments in Queensland will provide thousands of jobs and training opportunities in tourism and hospitality once operational.

“Our partnership with TAFE Queensland is about ensuring we have the best trained staff to help enhance the state’s reputation as a ‘must go’ destination for local and international visitors,” Mr Bekier said.

“Today’s graduation marks a milestone, not only for the graduates, but for us in our efforts to build a workforce ready to support our future developments’ new hotels, restaurants, bars, retail, entertainment, and public event spaces.

“We’re the lead partner in the Destination Brisbane Consortium developing the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane integrated resort, which will generate 8000 jobs in tourism and hospitality when it is expected to open in 2022.

“On the Gold Coast, we’re currently transforming Jupiters Gold Coast with a major redevelopment and the construction of a new six-star luxury all-suite tower at the front of the property.

“We’re also seeking approval to build a new 4.5-star hotel and apartment tower within a multi-billion dollar master plan for Jupiters Gold Coast on Broadbeach Island.

“Jupiters Gold Coast’s workforce would increase to around 2300 employees once the proposed 4.5-star tower, and the six-star tower that is currently underway, are complete and fully operational.

“These developments and the career opportunities they will bring make it an exciting time to be training or working in the tourism and hospitality industry in Queensland.”

The six-star International Hospitality Service Program includes fine dining service, food and wine-matching, and barista skills; operating a bar; providing advice on beers, spirits, liqueurs, Australian and imported wines; as well as providing silver service.

The next intake for the program at TAFE Queensland’s Southport campus on the Gold Coast and its South Bank campus in Brisbane is 1 August.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.