A second cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have successfully graduated from the International Convention Centre Sydney’s (ICC Sydney) pre-employment training program. Delivered in partnership with TAFE NSW Eora, students completed an intensive four week program providing the required skills, experience and understandings required to be job-ready.

The students will receive a Statement of Attainment in Preparation for Hospitality and Events which will create pathways to employment and  the opportunity to secure a role within the events industry with ICC Sydney.

During the four week course, participants learned a range of skills required to be job ready. These included event set-up, ushering, customer service, food and beverage service, working in a team, communications skills, first aid and RSA Certificate attainment.

Having launched its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2018 and with a commitment to acknowledging and respecting Aboriginal culture, ICC Sydney is the perfect platform to further employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members.

The partnership has seen 15 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students secure employment with ICC Sydney as a result of the pre-employment program. Furthermore, TAFE NSW has delivered cultural awareness and education training to 65 ICC Sydney employees.

TAFE NSW Educational Pathways Head Teacher, Dallas Wellington, said that Australia’s largest training provider is committed to creating pathways to employment, ensuring participants are job ready at the conclusion of the program.

“TAFE NSW has worked closely with ICC Sydney to design and deliver a pre-employment program that provides the required skills, experience and understanding needed for someone to be job ready. In addition, TAFE NSW has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into careers, and walked along with them during their employment journey with ICC Sydney, providing advice, mentoring and support.”  

The success of ICC Sydney’s pre-employment program has been illustrated by Margaret Bolt, a graduate from the first pre-employment training program cohort.

“I was unemployed for 10 years and never had any feedback as to why. It was ICC Sydney and TAFE NSW that helped me achieve employment as an Aboriginal woman, and I am grateful for that and to be part of the team at ICC Sydney.”

ICC Sydney CEO, Geoff Donaghy, said it was an important achievement for both the students, and venue team, to have completed and delivered the program.

“At ICC Sydney, we are committed to acknowledging, celebrating and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. With the implementation of our RAP well underway, we are focused on building cultural awareness, showcasing stories and building on our diverse and inclusive team.

“We are incredibly proud of all of the graduates and look to forward to seeing where this experience takes them in our venue and industry,” Dongahy said.

ICC Sydney is Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment destination. The showcase international venue underpins Sydney’s place as one of the world’s most desirable meeting and events destinations. Nestled in the heart of the rejuvenated Darling Harbour Precinct, ICC Sydney is proud to stand on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. In its first two years of operation, ICC Sydney welcomed 2.6 million delegates, attendees and visitors.

To find out more about studying at TAFE NSW visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601 for more information.

Media contact: Laura Kelly, TAFE NSW Business Partner, laura.kelly40@tafensw.edu.au, mobile: 0411 777 676