Liverpool school leaver Megan Toune is urging local high school students to consider vocational education to equip them with the practical skills needed for the jobs that will spur on an economic recovery. 

The NSW Government’s recent announcement about its vision for a 24-hour economy in Sydney will heavily rely on skilled hospitality workers to deliver on this strategy.

The 24- hour economy is set to revamp Sydney and help businesses and jobs recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and will offer a breadth of hospitality venues as well as food markets and live entertainment.

Megan (pictured right) was unsure of the career path she would take after completing her HSC but a chance encounter with TAFE NSW staff at a Miller Career Exhibition led her to a burgeoning career in hospitality.

Megan is now studying a Certificate III in Hospitality at TAFE NSW Wetherill Park and is volunteering at the Youth Centre cafe in Liverpool.

Megan said “I’ve always had a passion for cooking but never considered it as a career until I spoke to some of the teachers at TAFE NSW who showed me the different career paths that a hospitality course can lead to.”

“Undertaking work experience at Liverpool Youth Centre while completing my course has been a really fulfilling experience as I’ve been able to apply the hands-on skills I’m learning in my course to real-world situations,” Megan said.

“A lot of students studying their HSC don’t realise the different paths vocational education can lead to but it’s trades like construction, tourism and hospitality that are going to lead our recovery in a post-pandemic environment.”

The food and beverage services workforce consists of more than 777,300 workers, making it one of the largest employing sub-sectors in Australia.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher in Hospitality, Louise Avis, said now was a crucial time to be pursuing hospitality qualifications. 

“The pandemic has seen a dramatic shift in the way the hospitality industry works with a move toward an online presence and take-away style service,” Ms Avis said.

“It’s more important than ever that students like Megan are equipped with the skills to adapt to the changing industry, which is exactly what our hospitality course is skilling students up for.”

TAFE NSW Wetherill Park has a simulated training restaurant onsite so that students like Megan can practice the hands-on skills they learn in the classroom in an interactive environment with customers. 

For more information about studying a hospitality course at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601.

Media Contact: Jessica Cortis, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, 0456 170 211.