The skills shortage affecting NSW's recovering tourism sector is about to be lifted, with free training places on offer to help fill thousands of jobs over the summer holiday period.
More than 2,700 fee free training places are available across 35 different short courses to prepare workers, while more places will be added if there is a greater demand.
Free courses available include:
- Outdoor Leadership (Basic Water Rescues, Snorkel, Lead Snorkelling, Paddle and Lead Stand Up Board on Inland Flatwater)
- Tourism Product Design and Promotion
- Hospitality (Interact with Customers, Safe Work Practices and Visitor Information, Housekeeping, Responsible Service of Alcohol, Social/Cultural Sensitivity)
- Outdoor Recreation (Vertical Rescues, Abseil, Establish Ropes and Lead Single Pitch Abseiling on Natural Surfaces)
- Bicycle Servicing
- Swimming and Water Safety Teaching
- Infection Control
Skills and Tertiary Education Minister Geoff Lee encourages people to take up these courses at a vital time in the sector's recovery.
"People from around the country are lining up to book holidays all over our great state and the NSW Government wants to help support those businesses attract enthusiastic and skilled staff," Mr Lee said.
"Industry estimates around 600,000 staff across the country left the sector during the pandemic, which is why training opportunities like these free courses are so valuable, filling labour gaps and giving jobseekers the opportunity of a bright future in tourism."
A recent Tourism and Transport Forum Australia survey of more than 500 businesses owners uncovered that one-third had to let staff go during COVID-19, compared to less than 10% in other sectors.
