Riding the wave to a career in tourism and hospitality

Hey Queensland, there’s never been a better time to launch a career in tourism.

That was the message at today’s launch of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Tourism and Hospitality Career Guide.

Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones and Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman launched the career guide at Parliament House.

“Queensland is home to $25 billion tourism industry, supporting over 217,000 jobs,” Ms Jones said.

“With tourism icons such as the Great Barrier Reef, stunning beachers, rich indigenous culture and host of significant events like the Commonwealth Games 2018 – this is the best place to kick start a career in tourism and hospitality.

“The Palaszczuk Government has invested $30,000 towards the QTIC Tourism and Hospitality Career Guide which will be distributed across our regional tourism operator networks, schools and TAFEs across Queensland.”

“Queensland is a hub for exciting opportunities in our growing tourism and hospitality industries,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Our Jobs Queensland Tourism Workforce Plan forecasts that we will need an additional 20,000 skilled workers in the tourism and hospitality industry by 2020.

“And in particular, online job vacancies for chefs in Queensland have increased by 10 per cent in the last year.”

 “The tourism and hospitality industry offers not only growing job opportunities, it also offers exciting and future-proof careers,” QTIC Chief Executive, Daniel Gschwind said.

“In this careers guide we have a good story to tell young Queenslanders and their parents as they are planning their future in rapidly changing employment world

“Tourism has many of the critical attributes that allow motivated people to build meaningful, long-term careers with global opportunities.

In Queensland, the sector is dominated by small to medium enterprises and the biggest demand is for skilled chefs, bakers and pastry cooks.

“We have training pathways for the tourism and hospitality sectors that including nine qualifications in hospitality and cookery on offer for free for all 2018 year 12 graduates,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Our VET in Schools and Gateway to Industry Schools programs are giving students a head start to an exciting career before they finish school.

“And under the 2018–19 Annual VET Investment Plan we are spending around $40 million in training and skills for the industry.”

“There are so many fantastic opportunities for exciting and diverse careers in tourism and hospitality that can take you anywhere in the world.”

“If Queensland was astride a surfboard off the Gold Coast, we’d be about to stand up and ride the biggest tourism wave home,” Ms Jones said.

To access the guide visit:

https://qtic.microsoftcrmportals.com/workforce-development/careers-tourism-hospitality/

ENDS

Media Contact: Inga Williams - 0439 949 719