Barcats launches sponsored courses as lifeline to Australia’s struggling hospitality industry

Barcats, one of Australia’s leading hospitality platforms which connects venues with job seekers, has partnered with key training partners to launch a series of five-day courses free-of-charge for students and job seekers of all ages, to help them get fully equipped with every certificate and essential skill required to instantly and confidently get a job in hospitality.

This partnership offers Australia’s struggling hospitality industry a lifeline that could help curb the national staff shortage, with a new independent survey conducted on behalf of Barcats finding most high school students (83.80%) are not having a gap year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are eager to get to work.

The independent survey revealed 88.73% of students were looking for part-time or full-time time work now that high school had ended, with 68.31% happy to work in the hospitality industry.

Learning Outcomes of the course include:

• Responsible Service of Alcohol and Gaming (RSA & RCG)

• Hospitality Essentials (how to three plate carry, prepare alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks etc.)

• Food Safety Handling

• Customer Service

• Essential Bar Skills

• Hygienic Practices

• COVID-19 Compliance

Barcats founder and Chief Executive, Jeffrey Williams notes “the hospitality industry has been battling with nationwide lockdowns, forced restrictions and a significant staff shortage due to the lack of backpackers travelling to Australia this year, and this influx of young talent could be crucial at helping the nation’s venues get back on their feet.

“The research revealed that 19.72% of students felt a lack of training was the biggest barrier to working in hospitality, and by providing free comprehensive courses we hope to encourage more students to join the industry. Students will save hundreds of dollars, gain job connections and will walk out completely employable with the required RSA and RCG certificates, food safety knowledge, COVID-19 Compliance training and practical training from industry experts such as how to three plate carry.

“We have hundreds of jobs available right now, including a number of great regional opportunities that students could pair with regional travel for an Aussie gap year, including roles in the Whitsunday’s Hamilton Island, NSW’s Hunter Valley and Broome in WA.”

The survey found:

• Most students (83.80%) are not planning to have a gap year

• Most students (76.06%) will look for part-time work now school has ended to supplement their higher education at university, college or TAFE, with 12.67% looking for full-time work.

• Many high school students (59.16%) felt anxious about finding a job now school had ended

• 78.17% of students are still going to university, saying the pandemic has not affected their decision

• 65.49% reported COVID had not made them re-think their desired career path and profession.

Barcats’ five-day essential hospitality courses are currently available in Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast with dates in January. Courses in Perth and Melbourne are set to launch 2021. Sign up is available via barcats.com.au.  

Barcats is Australia and New Zealand’s fastest growing hospitality community, with 83,000 workers and 21,500 venues currently using the platform