NSW Government offers free hospitality training to help fill skills gap

To help fill skill shortages in the hospitality sector, the NSW Government has announced around 3000 free training places across 29 different courses are now available to study at TAFE NSW and other registered training providers, including barista training, safe food handling, responsible service of alcohol (RSA) and introduction to cooking courses.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the free training would help attract more workers to hospitality venues, at a critical time in the sector’s recovery from the pandemic noting “People from all over the State are lining up to get into pubs and clubs and we want to support those businesses with enthusiastic and skilled staff.

“We know businesses are struggling without the international workforce they depended on pre-lockdown. That’s why opportunities like this are so valuable, filling labour gaps and giving jobseekers the opportunity of a bright future in hospitality.”

NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the sector had been calling out for help to staff venues, and the NSW Government is responding and advises “this training not only helps businesses staff venues, but it also opens up career opportunities for people looking to make their start in the once again booming hospitality industry.”

“There are great career pathways in hospitality; today’s bartender or wait staff can become tomorrow’s pub, bar or restaurant owner.”

Australian Hotels Association Chief Executive John Whelan said the training had come at the right time as pubs and resturaunts dial up business.

Whelan added “The NSW government is to be congratulated. This comprehensive program provides the skills to build a new era of hospitality – both school leavers and those looking for a career change.”

Today’s announcement complements the free training already being funded under the joint State and Federal JobTrainer program.

To enrol in a free TAFE hospitality course, visit: tafensw.edu.au/skills-served-up

To explore other free hospitality courses available to study click here