Funding for paid training to support Victorian hospitality and tourism industry

The Victorian Government is supporting the recovery of the State’s hospitality and tourism industries with the announcement of $5.6 million for a new Jobs Victoria initiative.

As the state continues to welcome more domestic and international visitors, Victorian Minister for Industry Support, Recovery and Business Precincts Ben Carroll announced the initiative, which will support the tourism and hospitality sector to create 320 roles, offering jobseekers paid training and at least 12 months of secure employment.

Minister Carroll notes “The Accommodation Jobs initiative is just another way we’re stepping in to support Victoria’s hotels, hospitality businesses and jobseekers to make the most of the tourism recovery while building a skilled workforce.”

As a result of the pandemic, hotels and hospitality businesses have faced challenges with workforce shortages. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ June data, 51% of accommodation and food service businesses across the country reported having difficulty finding suitable staff.

The Accommodation Jobs initiative will create roles in housekeeping, preparation of food and beverages, events and other accommodation services across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Positions will prioritise groups traditionally more vulnerable to unemployment or insecure work, like women aged 45 and over, 18 to 25-year-olds, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal Victorians, people with disability, and those facing long-term unemployment.

Accommodation Association of Australia Acting COO Cassandra Champion added “On behalf of our members and their teams across Victorian hotels, motels and accommodation providers, we welcome this investment in job creation and innovation from the Victorian Government.”

Jobs Victoria is partnering with the Accommodation Association of Australia (AAOA) to attract more people to the industry and build the available pool of trained workers by mid-2023.

Food and beverage attendant Gaston Silva had been unemployed for 18 months before completing the AAOA training program and securing work in the hospitality industry. He now has his sights set on becoming a venue manager and adds “I am now working my way to becoming a supervisor, then one day venue manager. Without this chance and all the lovely people that trained me to get into hospitality I don’t know what I’d be doing right now.”

Participants will receive paid, pre-employment hospitality and accommodation training. They will also get a ‘workplace buddy’ and access to other services so they can start their new career on the right foot.

This program is an example of an innovative partnership supported by the $250 million Jobs Victoria Fund. Jobs Victoria supports people looking for work and connects employers with the staff they need. It provides information, advice, and support in person, on the phone, and via the Jobs Victoria online hub.

For more information about the Accommodation Jobs initiative visit jobs.vic.gov.au