A new apprenticeship-ready course will equip 20 Eyre Peninsula career seekers with the skills required for work in the state's thriving regional tourism sector.
The Tourism Industry Council of South Australia (TiCSA) has received Skilling South Australia project funding to launch this pilot initiative and will also promote training opportunities through their planned statewide Business Development Workshops.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the project is an exciting new model that will encourage business owners to take on an apprentice and attract young people into rewarding career pathways.
"This Skilling South Australia project aims to boost the number of skilled employees for the state's tourism industry - which is marked for significant future growth," Minister Pisoni said.
"TiCSA are working with TAFE SA to deliver eight weeks of fundamental training before participants are supported into full time apprenticeships with tourism operators across the Eyre Peninsula.
"There's great potential for further iterations of this training, with employers on the Limestone Coast, Upper Spencer Gulf and Fleurieu Peninsula also expressing interest in hosting a region-specific apprenticeship-ready program."
Complementing this approach are TiCSA's Business Development Workshops, where tourism operators will be introduced to the benefits of hiring an apprentice or trainee.
"Representatives from Group Training Organisations, Registered Training Organisations and the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network will contribute to these workshops to help employers navigate the apprenticeship system and present the benefits and support available to them," Minister Pisoni said.
"The first of 27 workshop events, taking place right across the state, will be held on Kangaroo Island today."
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment David Ridgway said it is an exciting time for tourism operators in South Australia.
"Tourism is a critical part of the South Australian economy, employing over 38,900 people across 18,000 businesses," Minister Ridgway said.
"South Australia's visitor economy has grown to a record $7.6 billion - and the regions in particular have experienced fantastic growth, with visitor expenditure in non-metro areas, up 19 per cent to $3.3 billion.
"With more people coming to visit our state, more workers will be needed to assist in providing them with world-class experiences.
"It's programs like this that will help us continue to grow the sector to further boost South Australia's visitor economy."
Chief Executive Officer of TiCSA Shaun de Bruyn said tourism employers, particularly in regional South Australia, need more staff with a broad range of skills.
"Given that our regions are fundamental to the state's unique tourism offering, it's extremely important that regional tourism businesses engage with apprenticeships as they equip job seekers with the capabilities needed to drive sustainable growth," Mr de Bruyn said.
"This project will see the Certificate III in Tourism, and additional industry-specific training, delivered to participants in line with business needs.
"Ultimately this will lead to a more professional workforce, delivering world-class experiences to our global visitors."
This Skilling South Australia project is one of more than 90 underway across the state, representing an investment of over $17 million.
Co-designed with industry, these projects are increasing the number of apprenticeship opportunities available for career seekers and matching employer demand for a skilled local workforce.
Learn more at: skilling.sa.gov.au/projects.
