TAFE tops in tourism training awards

Wednesday 6 September

The pre-eminent tourism and hospitality trainer in the region has reinforced its 'simply the best' status with wins in both local Tourism Awards for 2006.

TAFE NSW-North Coast Institute this week added a win in the Northern Rivers Tourism Awards' Education and Training category to its success last week in the same category in the Mid North Coast Tourism Awards.

"For its contribution to providing tourism businesses in our region with well-trained staff, the TAFE NSW-North Coast Institute won the award for Tourism Education and Training...The Institute was praised for its commitment to the highest possible professional standards," the Mid North Coast Tourism Awards website says.

"Responsiveness to community and industry demand, state of the art facilities and the consistent excellence of our graduates make the North Coast Institute the stand-out tourism and hospitality training provider in the region," says Michael Callaghan, the acting Manager for the Tourism and Hospitality Faculty.

Mr Callaghan said that the Institute, with 17 campuses around the region and a huge range of courses, can provide relevant, industry-focused training suitable for everyone from individual businesspeople and entrepreneurs, to the staff of large organisations and school students and school leavers keen to enter this dynamic industry.

"And, of course, the TAFE NSW qualfications are recognised and respected both nationally and internationally", Mr Callaghan said.

Winning the regional awards means the North Coast Institute are eligible for the NSW Tourism Awards later this year.