Hospitality course leads to job success

An introduction to hospitality course is helping participants of different ages build practical skills and confidence to help them secure work in a café or hospitality setting.
One recent participant, Jodie Moran, undertook the course because she was looking for a different career path, and as a result gained a job at West Gippsland Hospital as a food services assistant.
"I wanted to do something a little bit more meaningful, going into the hospital and age care direction," she said.
"I just happened to be scrolling on Facebook one day and saw the course on Warragul Community House."
Ms Moran spoke to staff at Warragul Community House about the course and what it offered. After enrolling she began to hear back from workplaces she'd applied to.
"I wasn't getting a look in before that, without the food safety certificate," she explained.
Trainer Diane Carson takes the participants through safe food handling and hygiene and preparation of basic foods.
"Things like soup, sandwiches and sausage rolls, chicken nuggets, spaghetti bolognaise, pizza and desserts," Ms Carson said.
"All that sort of rapid stuff, and then I teach how to serve it, as well as about safety in the kitchen and what to expect in the workplace."
Barista skills, customer service and soft workplace skills also are taught
Ms Carson ensures the course is informative, friendly and fun for everyone, something Ms Moran can attest to.
"We all joke around and have a good time and everyone's friendly. We all help each other out," she said.
"It's also helped because I've been out of work for a while and it's helped me get back into the community and helped with the anxiety and all that sort of stuff."
Ms Moran had the opportunity to join Ms Carson in volunteering at a church every fortnight, expanding her skills further.
The new knowledge, skills and experience helped Ms Moran answer interview questions and secure her job, which she started earlier this month.
Another participant has successfully gained a job at McDonalds in Drouin as a result of undertaking the course.
The course is a joint initiative between Warragul Community House (WCH) and Baw Baw Shire Council and has been held across Warragul and Longwarry.
WCH manager Shaun Mallia said community education helped people learn new skills, build confidence and reconnect socially.
"The camaraderie that has developed among the students has been one of the real highlights of the course."
Baw Baw Shire mayor Kate Wilson said councils partnership with Warragul Community House for the introduction to hospitality course was fantastic for the local community.
"It creates opportunities for people to connect, participate, and develop lifelong skills."