Tools
There’s no shortage of avenues open to employers and employees to enhance their skills in the tourism and hospitality industry, through formal training and through less formal channels, such as scholarships, work placements etc. Many of these are available on a low cost or no cost basis. You are encouraged to visit the websites of the largest industry associations below to explore seminars, courses and conferences that may be relevant to your interests and industry sector.
To view the Industry Associations
Presented below is a synopsis of some of the better known opportunities for you to consider:
Tourism Excellence Grants Program
As part of the ongoing review of the Tourism Excellence program with the tourism industry, Tourism Victoria released the Tourism Excellence Grants Program.
Recognising that the continued growth of the tourism industry is essential for the future of Victoria, the Tourism Excellence Grants Program forms part of a strategic approach that undertakes education to increase Victoria’s tourism workforce, develop career pathways and raise skill & knowledge levels.
The identification of the training needs and delivery of the program is carried out in consultation with the Regional Tourism Association (RTA) or relevant tourism organisations within each region.
This program helps to deliver cost effective, relevant and engaging training programs that provide businesses with the tools to get the best from their workforce, deliver the best possible visitor experience and ensure sustainable growth.
Workshop topics include:
- Research
- Exceptional Customer Service
- People Excellence - Recruit/Retain/Exit Staff
- Developing a Business Plan (incl. a Marketing Plan)
- Pricing and Packaging Product
- International Marketing
- E-Marketing
- Working with the Media
- Revise, Survive, Grow – Business Sustainability
- Sustainability
For more information on the Tourism Excellence Grants Program contact your RTA or relevant tourism organisation.
RACV Victorian Tourism Awards (Individual Awards)
The Victorian Tourism Awards play an integral role not only in encouraging and rewarding excellence, innovation and commitment in the industry but also in the process of raising standards and professionalism. The Tourism Awards is the main business development tool created to increase the level of professionalism and standards across the Victorian tourism industry.
There are 3 individual awards which recognise the extraordinary personal and professional achievement and contribution by individuals over many years their State’s tourism industry. Judges consider in particular the activities and contribution of the nominee outside the expectations of normal employment.
- Outstanding Contribution By An Individual
- Outstanding Contribution By An Volunteer
- Young Achievers Award
More information on the RACV Victoria Tourism Awards
Lynette Bergin Fellowship
The annual Fellowship offers up to $8,000 and a further $1,000 to an applicant’s employer. It perpetuates the skills and contribution Lynette made to the industry and celebrates the guiding hand she offered to many of the industry’s new recruits. The Fellowship seeks to promote skills and excellence among young people and new entrants into the tourism industry; and contribute to the continued development and growth of tourism. It is open to members and employees of members of Tourism Alliance Victoria
Download the application form and criteria for the Fellowship.
Office of Small Business programs
The Office of Small Business (OSB) seeks to make it easier to start and operate a business and facilitates business growth. OSB provides coordinated and accessible information available by calling the Victorian Business Line on 13 22 15, through the web: www.business.vic.gov.au or by visiting one of the 12 Victorian Business Centres across the state. A number of programs are on offer, designed to skill small business operators to achieve their potential. OSB run over 350 seminars and workshops each year.
OSB will outline how their new program 'Skills for Growth'' can help you find and keep the skilled workers your business needs for continued success and future growth. To enrol for your free diagnostic or to find out about an information session near you, call 13 22 15 or visit the website : www.business.vic.gov.au/
For further information on :
Developing Tourism Leaders Awards
Service Skills Victoria has established the Melbourne Airport ‘Developing Tourism Leaders’ Awards, aimed at students studying tourism, hospitality, event management and culinary arts in Victoria.
The awards are an innovative employment development exercise for final year students, which involves the student in the development of innovative small business concepts and business plans for tourism products. The top 1-20 students are given the opportunity to apply for the industry mentor program, in which leading industry organisations and businesses offer a minimum 3 month paid work placement to the student of their choice.
Young Tourism Network
The Young Tourism Network is supported by Tourism Alliance Victoria as a member-based networking group open to students and recent graduates of relevant courses and for those employed in all tourism related fields for less than 10 years. Through a program of social and professional development events it aims to enhance collaboration, networking, career development and professional excellence of younger people within the Victorian tourism industry. Working members are encouraged to become a mentor to students of tourism, hospitality and events courses.
Voc Ed & Tertiary co-op programs
Many vocational and tertiary providers include work placement programs as a part of the training they deliver. They go by a number of names, such as practicum, learning in the workplace or co-operative program. They are designed to reinforce learning through direct workplace experience and to prepare students for when they begin to apply their learning in a workplace context. From an employer’s point of view, involvement in these programs can provide the opportunity to see how potential recruits operate in the workplace and can therefore form an important part of a structured recruitment strategy.
Whilst most providers operate work placement programs, the following link to Victoria University provides some good, general information.
For more information (40kb) >>
Secondary work placement programs
Most secondary schools students undertake work experience as part of a program designed to assist in career selection. Also, Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools programs are typically delivered through partnerships between schools, industry and training providers, and often include opportunities for students to participate in workplace learning. Students enrolled in VET programs may also combine part time work, part time study and part time vocational training. Again these programs can be used by industry as part of a structured recruitment strategy, designed to lead to better recruitment decisions and lower staff turnover.
Whilst the best place to start will be your local secondary schools, information about work experience and VET in Schools can be found using the following link.