TASTEFUL TREAT FOR TEACHERS
Teachers in the hospitality field were given a most tasteful insight into job opportunities for their students at The Star Gold Coast
GOLD Coast hospitality teachers were treated to a luxurious development opportunity at The Star Gold Coast as part of a “train the trainer” initiative.
As part of the Hospitality Teachers Network, the Queensland teachers took part in a champagne masterclass and were given a tour of the transforming property.
Palm Beach Currumbin State High School technology teacher Andrew Goodman said there was a misconception that hospitality was only an industry to work in while preparing or studying for something else.
“Before teaching, I had a long career as a chef in places like Uluru, Alice Springs and Tasmania and saw a variety of workplaces including fast food restaurants, surf clubs and internationally recognised hotel chains,” Mr Goodman said.
“The point we must raise with our younger generation is that while hospitality offers a broad spectrum of workplaces and roles, five and six-star properties like The Star Gold Coast are seeking talent and provide rewarding careers.
“They need people for a wide range of positions – such as VIP services, hotel management and corporate roles – and they offer support and professional development to help move them up the ladder.”
Assisi Catholic College, Coomera, home economics leader Beverley Harris said it was enlightening to hear about The Star Gold Coast’s training pathways for students.
“It was a great experience for us to hear about The Star Gold Coast’s many training pathways including apprenticeships, traineeships, internships and a school-based work experience program,” she said.
“It offers placements in areas like culinary arts, front-of-house roles and corporate roles.“
The Star Entertainment Group Queensland managing director Geoff Hogg said he was pleased to host the teachers so they could understand the new opportunities on offer at the multimillion-dollar property.
“This has been a highly valuable opportunity to showcase our property to local school teachers so they can take their learnings back to the classroom and help students considering further training in our growing sector,” Mr Hogg said.
“Working with schools has never been more important as our industry faces a huge skills shortage and we need to build awareness that hospitality can provide lifelong and rewarding careers, not just temporary or transitional ones.’’
Mr Hogg said the property would create extensive jobs through a new hotel and apartment tower – part of a wider masterplan concept – and would begin preparatory works later this year pending apartment pre-sales.
“This will take our current investment at Broadbeach to up to $850 million,” he said.
“Once operational, both the six-star tower and the hotel and apartment tower will increase our Gold Coast workforce to 2300 employees.”