Diversitat seeks hospitality training funds

MIGRANT service provider Diversitat has applied to the State Government for up to $500,000 to fund a hospitality training program at the former Geelong Wholefoods site.

Diversitat chief executive Michael Martinez said training chefs, waiters and other hospitality staff could benefit those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those on judicial orders.

Geelong Wholefoods closed a month ago.

“We want to stay in that location for the long-term. We think Mercer St has a bright future once the towers (WorkSafe and the NDIA headquarters) are built,” Mr Martinez said.

He said the training and skills centre would help to fill Geelong’s need for hospitality staff and employ about 12 fulltime staff.

“There will be a cafe but more along the lines of a social enterprise. You wouldn’t have a huge menu,” he said.

“It would be about giving young people and other disadvantaged people an opportunity to learn some skills.

“The region’s demands for bar attendants, baristas, fastfood cooks and kitchen hands are all above the state average.

“For example, waiters. In Geelong it’s 6 per cent and the statewide demand is 3 per cent.”

Mr Martinez said the closure of Geelong Wholefoods and the loss of about 10 jobs was due to competition in the market.

“It is very competitive in that field; there is a new bulk (wholefoods outlet) on Pakington St now and a lot of the supermarkets are selling more organic products,” he said.

“(Geelong) Wholefoods didn’t receive any government money, it was run on a purely commercial basis.

“People can criticise us as managers, (but) the fact is we pay award wages and everyone was paid penalty rates.”