By Gavan Conway
An innovative training program offered to high school students by the Outrigger Twin Towns Resort has received an overwhelming “thumbs up” from the parents of three local students who’ve started a two-year training program to gain a Certificate II in Hospitality.
Three, year 11 students, ranging from 15 to 16 years of age, were chosen from a field of candidates throughout the region, as part of the school-based Traineeship program coordinated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training.
During years 11 and 12, they combine reduced normal schooling with hospitality training provided by TAFE [Technical & Further Education] facilities and various schools and work at the Outrigger Twin Towns Resort for approximately 16 hours a week.
The hands-on practical training the students receive would place them well ahead of other job-seekers when they finish school, having two years experience already under their belts.
Part of the selection process required the students to have the full support of their parents and their schools; parents and teachers were invited to attend their first orientation-training day, which was met with great responses.
Their mothers were all very pleased to hear they will be well trained in making beds and cleaning rooms!
Outrigger’s school-based trainees Bianca Skene, Chris deClosey, and Michelle Hall
The successful students, Bianca Skene [15], Chris deClosey [16] and Michelle Hall [16] made a strongimpression on our resort staff with their attitudes and willingness to take on their new roles with enthusiasm and pride.
Working across all divisions of resort operations, their training will cover everything from Housekeeping, Reservations, Front Desk operations, and Porterage.
Having worked in HR for many years, I find these training programs to be extremely beneficial for young, motivated students who don’t want to take on university studies after finishing school.
Bianca has started on the Front Desk, Michelle is taking bookings in the Reservations department, and Chris is working as a Porter. Eventually they will be rotated through all departments.
As they are still full-time students, we do stress that their studies come first, as they still need to complete years 11 and 12 to gain their Higher School Certificate.
This is the first time Outrigger’s Australian operations have taken on school-based trainees in Australia, and we are really excited about a
