The University of Newcastle is set to address the skills gap across the hospitality and tourism industries this month by partnering with industry and vocational education institutions to provide a unique training opportunity.
Across Australia, unfulfilled positions across hospitality, tourism and events currently stand at 423,500, and with these industries currently experiencing growth this opportunity could not have come at a better time.
The new Bachelor of Tourism, Hospitality and Events is set to respond to this talent shortage, as the University of Newcastle (UoN) partners with TAFE NSW to provide a unique opportunity for students to study across both institutions.
Students will earn both an Advanced Diploma from TAFE NSW and a bachelor’s degree from UoN all in three years, fast-tracking their employment opportunities.
Analysis done by UoN highlighted the need for this course, noting that the current talent shortage coupled with current growth indicates a 30 per cent deficit in staff needed to run literally every part of these industries.
The University’s efforts don’t stop there. Plans are underway to combine training with practical experience through an international hotel school, along with a vision of the potential establishment of a physical hotel.
“The International Hotel School itself is a concept,” notes Professor John Fischetti, Pro Vice Chancellor of the College of Human and Social Futures.
“It allows our students to understand that every semester they’ll actually do a partnership in events, tourism, or hospitality, which is unique for our university that every semester you will have a real world experience, and it leads to a culminating job in industry, which is virtually guaranteed given that shortage.”
The UoN aims to attract both international students as well as those who might not have seen higher education as an option to these new opportunities.
“With projects like the Newcastle International Airport expansion already underway, we are only going to see our tourism potential grow over the coming years, so I am proud that we are at the forefront, equipping our students with the skills to meet this growing market,” said UoN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO.
