Port Macquarie Panthers Graduation

17th June 03

The opportunity to provide employees with formal qualifications that are achieved through training and assessment delivered in the workplace has proven very beneficial to the Port Macquarie hospitality industry. The North Coast Institute of TAFE has worked with Port Macquarie Panthers on designing the program and 23 employees recently graduated with a Certificate III in Hospitality (Operations) from the North Coast Institute.

Hospitality Existing Worker Traineeships are designed for those people who have worked in the hospitality industry for a number of years but don’t hold any relevant formal qualifications. Various study methods are used in the traineeship including individual tuition, group workshops & module workbooks. The majority of the training & assessment is carried out in the trainee’s workplace.

The participants were the first group of existing worker trainees from Port Panthers to graduate via this mode and according to teacher Lyn Rouse, the program was a great success.

“The program involved the workplace assessment of the trainee’s skills, identification of skill & knowledge gaps and then training to bridge these gaps. Some areas covered included Beverage Service, Gaming, Customer Service, Conflict Resolution, Workplace Hygiene and Restaurant Service,” said Ms Rouse.

The traineeship allowed the participants to gain recognition for the knowledge and skills that they have gained in the workplace, as well as learn valuable new skills.

“The course was very thorough and covered a wide range of topics. I like the fact that the teachers were very approachable and available for phone calls and questions at any time”, said Donna Geyer, graduate.

These sentiments were echoed by fellow graduate David Wilcox.

“Because we were able to work at our own pace combining past experience, class room style tuition and workplace assessments it meant that all facets of an employee’s skill and ability to were able to shine through, which made training a really positive experience”.

In a highly competitive market such as hospitality the Existing Worker Traineeship means employers benefit from a more qualified workforce, which results in increased efficiency and higher quality productivity. Employees are bale to gain recognition of existing skills and experience and the achievement of a nationally recognised and industry endorsed qualification from the North Coast Institute.

Rodney Nugent, (HR Manager-Port Panthers), Lyn Rouse (Teacher), Geoff Baldry (Faculty Manager) and Donna Geyer (Graduate).