TAFE NSW Glen Innes Hospitality Head Teacher, Matt McAllister, believes Australia’s love of all things food shows no sign of slowing down.

In fact, with TV shows such as My Kitchen Rules and Masterchef spiking industry attention, Mr McAllister believes the need for quality hospitality workers has now hit ‘critical levels’, as the industry is plagued by a skills shortage across Liverpool Plains, and Australia-wide.

“According to Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) research into hospitality, the food and beverage services industries have grown strongly over the past two decades and will continue to grow over the coming years,” Mr McAllister said.

“AISC is predicting a 12 per cent total workforce increase. This will take the total Australian food and beverage workforce past 970,000 people by 2023, which means the skills shortage is going to continue.

“What this also means is there are lots of great employment opportunities available for people who are looking to work as café and restaurant managers, baristas and bar attendants, and chefs, in a really hands-on, exciting and rewarding industry where no two days are ever the same.”

One student who is hoping to cash in on the current skills shortage is Brodie Roberts from Glen Innes. The 24-year-old has completed a Certificate II in Hospitality and Certificate II in Kitchen Operations, and is currently completing a Certificate III in Hospitality through the state-of-the-art TAFE NSW Glen Innes Connected Learning Centre.

“I have a passion for the industry and really enjoy learning to make and present different meals and drinks,” he said.

“I’m learning lots of different cooking styles and I hope to use the skills I’m learning at TAFE NSW to travel around the world working in hospitality.”

For more information about the range of hospitality courses available at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.

Media contact: Luke Schuyler, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, 0439 536 563.