Mature workers re-skill for a new career

Swinburne has teamed with Delaware North Companies Australia (DNCA) to help mature aged job seekers to retrain and discover new career options.

They successfully completed hospitality qualifications at Swinburne's Prahran campus to re-skill and gain work at Etihad Stadium.

Fourteen students were referred to Hospitality Job Start from services such as the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service, Job Services Australia and the Public Tenants Employment Program.

They were enrolled in Swinburne's 12 week Certificate III in Hospitality course. The three day per week training included one day gaining practical skills in Swinburne's Mecanix training restaurant in Prahran.

Class time was also used to prepare students for the recruitment process which began one month into the course.

Of the 14 students, 10 applied for and were successful in gaining work at Etihad Stadium working in the retail, corporate suites and kitchen teams.

DNCA recruitment coordinator Libby Howe observed each student in Swinburne's training restaurant to ensure that the position offered to them would suit their needs and skill level.

Students began working shifts while still studying at TAFE, enabling them to be supported by Swinburne staff and classmates as they began the transition to work.

"It can be a huge move for mature people to return to study," said Swinburne TAP into Training (TAPIT) coordinator Margie Fry. "Seeing the trepidation of beginning students turn into excitement, new skills and opportunities is rewarding for all of us."

"Companies like DNCA are increasingly seeing the value that mature employees bring to the work place, such as life and work experience, common sense, reliability and a willingness to learn new skills," Fry added.

Donna Ferrier had never worked in hospitality before, but has been a regular member of the corporate suites team at Etihad since May. She is enthusiastic about the new career opportunities that have opened up after undertaking hospitality training.

"I'd heard good and bad things about the hospitality industry, but I'm really enjoying working in the corporate suites at Etihad," she said.

Another successful student, Carla Mitterlerner was looking for a career change and is about to start work as a cook in the main kitchen at Etihad. She was referred to the program by the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service and found the TAPIT staff and teachers very supportive.

"The course was really great for me. I really enjoyed it and felt encouraged to keep studying," she said. "It's really opened up new opportunities for me." Carla is further developing her cooking skills at Swinburne with the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.