Free hospitality courses offered in NSW to kickstart careers and alleviate labour shortages

A new NSW Government program aims to support the hospitality sector with a suite of fee-free short courses now available for people looking to secure jobs or further their career in the sector while also alleviating labour shortages.

The program has been developed in partnership with the hospitality industry, to provide job relevant training and career development at pubs, clubs and restaurants across NSW.

NSW Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the Kickstart Your Career in Hospitality program aims to alleviate labour shortages that are hampering the industry and provide pathways for people looking for rewarding and well-paid careers.

“Whether you want to be a barista or a bartender, this initiative will enable you to train for free and get the skills you need for a job in a local pub, club, café or restaurant,” Mionister Henskens said.

“A strong hospitality sector is absolutely critical for NSW, now and into the future. This program draws on the NSW Government’s record skills budget and will help secure a brighter future for the hospitality industry and all those who depend on it.”

Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said the NSW Government is continuing to work with industry to address crippling labour shortages, but also foster career progression and retention through scalable upskilling opportunities.

Minister Anderson added “these fee-free courses are designed to be short and quick, but also scalable so staff take up additional training opportunities, to develop further skills over time, as they desire.

“We also want participants to realise that there is longevity in the hospitality sector. Staff are encouraged to make the most of additional training opportunities to further develop their skills, and turn a job into a long term career if they choose to.”

Clubs NSW Chief Executive Josh Landis said the initiative offers incredible opportunities for professional growth and development in the hospitality sector, particularly in clubs across the state.

“Someone who gets their first job in a club can go on to do amazing things. Clubs offer careers in cooking, hotel management, customer service, business operations and much more,” Landis said.

“These aren't just fee-free short courses, they could be your first step on a hugely successful and satisfying career journey, and we want clubs to be the catalyst for that journey.”

More information about eligibility criteria and enrolments is available at Skills NSW.