WHEN Reggie Broderick lost her job three months ago after 16 years with the same employer, she looked to the industry where she got her start – hospitality – for job options. “I worked in cafes and restaurants 25 years ago in Hobart and thought it would be a good sector to get back into,” she said. “But I needed a refresher.”
The Introduction to Cafe Service offered at New Norfolk business The ArtHouse and provided by Visitor Experience Training (VXT), was perfect for her. “I would recommend it to anyone,” Reggie said. “It is designed for people with no previous experience looking for a job in cafe service but it would also be good for people already in the industry and anyone like me looking to re-enter the industry after an extended break.”
Nicola Rouleston of The ArtHouse said her cafe, retail and event space was “all about the community” so it was an easy decision for her to make when approached by VXT to provide a venue for the Introduction to Cafe Service. “We are well supported by local New Norfolk people, and are always asking ourselves what can we do to help, so we were 100 per cent behind it,” Nicola said.
“The business employs seven people ranging in age from 20 to 65. We are very happy to support training like this to help bring the overall skill level for the industry up which is important. Just as important is the X-factor you need to see when looking for an employee, which to me is the right attitude.”
VXT chief executive Emilie Donovan said the one-day course provided essential knowledge and skills to deliver a great cafe experience. “It covers personal presentation, communication, customer service, cafe opening and closing procedures, food and beverage serving and food and safety standards,” she said, adding that VXT was offering more than 50 similar courses across the state over the next few months.
Hospitality and Events minister Nic Street MHA said providing a full breadth of training opportunities was vital for the sector. “One of the most consistent messages I get from the hospitality sector is that it’s crying out for workers at every level,” he said.
“Delivering training in the communities where the workers are most needed is key to the work VXT is doing, and we are pleased to be working with them. Congratulations to the course graduates, and I hope that it is the start to long careers in the hospitality industry,” Mr Street said.
Pictured: VXT chief executive Emilie Donovan and Hospitality and Events minister Nic Street with participants in last week’s introduction to cafe service training at New Norfolk.
