A bold new program has been cooked up to address a shortage of skilled workers in kitchens on the Sunshine Coast and beyond.
TAFE Queensland has encouraged people to turn their passion for cooking into a career, with their new Intensive Apprenticeship Pathway helping eligible candidates to fast-track the time it takes to become a chef.
The pathway, offered in partnership with the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, will enable those who enrol to gain valuable industry experience and undertake a commercial cookery apprenticeship in just two years at no cost.
It comes as Sunshine Coast restaurant owners call out for skilled workers, with the hospitality industry struggling with a shortage of qualified chefs and cooks.
TAFE Queensland Faculty Director for Business, Hospitality and Language (East Coast region) Joanne Charters said the training provider has engaged with local industry to discuss their needs and offer solutions to the skills gap.
“While life has returned to normal for the most part following the easing of restrictions, many businesses in the local hospitality industry are still struggling to recover the skills lost during the height of the pandemic,” she said.
“TAFE Queensland is committed to working with industry and the government to ensure workers have the skills needed to fulfil the demand of the local workforce.
“The Intensive Apprenticeship Pathway was developed following consultation with the industry and aims to provide those looking to pursue a career in cookery, or those already working in hospitality who may not have formal training in the kitchen, with the ability to gain the skills and qualification they need in a much shorter time frame.”
The program sees students undertake a Certificate II in Kitchen Operations in TAFE Queensland’s simulated work environment over a 40 week period, and complete four weeks of work experience, before progressing straight into the final year of a TAFE Queensland Certificate III in Commercial Cookery apprenticeship with one of TAFE Queensland’s industry partners.
Sunshine Coast Hotels Managing Director Scott Armstrong is among the many leaders in hospitality who encouraged locals to consider a career in cookery, stating that many cafés and restaurants in the region are lacking the skilled staff needed to cater for the reignited demand.
“We have found it extremely hard to find staff for both front-of-house and back-of-house. This has been an issue for many years and has only been further exacerbated by the pandemic over the last two years,” he said.
“The lack of skilled chefs coming from overseas left a huge void in kitchen middle management, with very few young Australians coming into the industry. It has put a lot of pressure on existing staff.”
Mr Armstrong said Sunshine Coast Hotels was supportive of TAFE Queensland’s Intensive Apprenticeship Pathway and the fact the program would enable newcomers to the industry to gain a full understanding of the industry they are entering into.
“This program will give the apprentice the best of both worlds. Firstly, the ability to gain the necessary fundamental skills and techniques required to develop a base knowledge and secondly, real time experience in a professional kitchen environment,” he said.
“Being a chef has been glamorised over the past 10 years with the explosion of food media. Having a base knowledge will allow the apprentice to integrate into the commercial kitchen more smoothly. I feel this will hopefully lead to a better retention rate within the industry, which is much needed.”
According to the National Skills Commission, the accommodations and food services industry is projected to grow by 16.8 per cent nationwide over the next five years, with a 13.9 per cent increase in employment opportunities anticipated for chefs alone.
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Ms Charters said TAFE Queensland is set to host its annual industry networking luncheon HONE in October, providing industry with the chance to share their insights with each other over a lunch prepared by students, but in the meantime the training provider will continue to engage with the hospitality industry and the Sunshine Coast Council to discuss what more can be done to support local businesses.
“We’re looking forward to being able to bring the Coast’s hospitality leaders together once again to discuss the key areas impacting the industry and how we can work together to ensure the best outcome,” she said.
“We’re lucky to have such a diverse and well respected hospitality industry on the Sunshine Coast, and as our population booms and our tourism industry grows, the success of the sector will only become more vital.
“With so many employment opportunities available locally, our students have been spoilt for choice. There really has never been a better time for those who love cooking to turn their passion into a career.”
Enrolments for Semester 2, 2022, are now open, with the next intake set to start on Tuesday July 19. To find out more about how TAFE Queensland can help you fast track your career in cookery and enrol, visit TAFE Queensland – Intensive Cookery or call 1300 308 233.
