Next Generation of Hospitality and Tourism Managers

With 335,000 job opportunities forecast over the next three years*, the Australian tourism and hospitality industry is set to make a come back in 2010. However, job seekers should take note, the days of rising through the ranks without a qualification are over.

Stuart Wiggins, deputy head of the William Blue College of Hospitality Management, says there has never been a better time to pursue a career in tourism and hospitality management.

“Demand for highly skilled hospitality and tourism management professionals remains high, despite suggestions the industry took a hit during the GFC. And while our sector has suffered in some shape or form, the industry has managed to retain staff and keep busy,” he said.

According to Wiggins the professionalisation of the industry has resulted in employers placing a high priority on business qualifications and all major hospitality and tourism organisations now require graduates and trainees to have a degree qualification.

“Employers are looking for graduates with more than just entry-level skills. They want industry-ready professionals equipped with strong interpersonal and communications skills, a good work ethic, a sound knowledge of food and beverage in addition to business and management skills and qualifications.”

He has also seen a growing number of students studying with the intention of going into business for themselves. Read more

Australia’s first Branded Fashion Degree

The Billy Blue College of Design in Australia will offer one of the world’s first Branded Fashion courses in 2010. Branded fashion is a huge growth area that requires talented designers to generate clothing that resonates with a brand’s image, meaning and price point.

The new course has been developed by industry veteran, Dr Mieke Leppens, in consultation with leading design houses in Australia, Europe and the United States.

“The fashion industry has moved on from needing good sewers and pattern makers. Fashion houses are demanding students come equipped with a cutting-edge eye for contemporary designs and the required industry and business knowledge needed to meet the tough demands of a branded fashion brief,” said Billy Blue College of Design program director, Dr Mieke Leppens.

“The Branded Fashion course will appeal to students who have a natural eye for forecasting trends, cultural demands and attitudes towards contemporary design. The course will teach students to utilise their design and academic knowledge and skills,” he said.

It is the first, and only, course in Australia to balance design strengths such as drawing, written and visual communication, with management, planning and business skills. Students will graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Design, majoring in Branded Fashion, and could find themselves working for the likes of Quicksilver, Bonds, Witchery or Ralph Lauren, or even starting their very own fashion label. Read more

Employers in hot pursuit of Plug ‘N Play Graduates

With baby boomers cutting back on their hours, marketing industries including PR, event management and journalism, will struggle to fill the void.

“The alumni of 2009 and 2010 have large boots to fill as baby boomers start to step aside. As a result employers will be looking for graduates that ‘have it all’ and can hit the ground running,” says David McDonald, Head of College, APM College of Business and Communication.

“Employers are not looking for ‘technicrats’. They want graduates with practical experience behind them, who can apply that experience the moment they walk in the door. A solid knowledge of the industry, a can-do attitude and the drive to deliver immediate results is a must in this fast-paced industry,” he said.

“Star-graduates will always be in demand, but businesses are under pressure to identify those that can manage a number of different responsibilities. They want staff that adapt quickly, are flexible, multi-skilled and can wear the many ‘hats’ that come with their role.” Read more

Increased demand for Complimentary Healthcare Practitioners

The health and wellness industry in Australia is booming and is now estimated to be worth $2.5 billion annually. According to the Australasian College of Natural Therapies (ACNT), this increased demand for complimentary healthcare practitioners is providing more opportunities for job-seekers beyond traditional natural and beauty therapy practice.

“Australians are increasingly turning to natural therapies and alternative medicines as they become more health-conscious. Society has become more aware of the options available beyond mainstream medicine that can help improve their quality of life,” said Janet Olliver, ACNT head of college.

Janet Olliver says with over five million Australians visiting complementary healthcare practitioners annually, there has been a corresponding dramatic growth in demand for these services.

“Therapies such as massage, complementary medicine and aromatherapy, are sought after by an increasing number of people every year. With fewer than 6,000 naturopaths Australia-wide, the demand for skilled practitioners will continue to climb in the next few years,” she said. Read more

Preparing young women lawyers for success

Middletons will host the launch of Victorian Women Lawyers’ 2009 Law Student Mentoring Program and farewell the highly successful 2008 class in Middletons’ Melbourne office on 1 April 2009.

Victorian Women Lawyers Convenor, Jennifer Kanis, said “It’s fantastic to have Middletons’ support, which actually seems rather natural as Middletons has the highest number of VWL members of any law firm in Victoria and contributed about a dozen mentors to last year’s Program.”

The program consists of law students and mentors (female lawyers) being paired together based on common professional interests and backgrounds – all pairs are encouraged to meet on a monthly basis. Read more

Australians look to upskill for job security in economic downturn

More than half of Australians (54%) are worried about their job security in 2009, with more than one in three planning to further their skills and qualifications to make themselves more employable.

The results from a survey by Think: Education Group, one of Australia’s largest private tertiary providers, come as economic conditions take their toll on the Australian employment market and diminish career opportunities.

The survey also found the top four career New Year’s resolutions for 2009 are to earn more money (26%), get a promotion (18%), get a new job (17%) and keep their current job (9%).

“As Australians all over the country become more concerned about their job security, there has never been a better time to further job skills and improve employment prospects, “ says Malcolm Kinns, General Manager, Flexible and Online Learning, THINK Education Group. Read more

Help your kids and yourself to get aLife

Do your children know what they want to do when they leave school? If not, they’re not alone. It’s a big decision and they need some time to explore their options. The wide variety of careers available can be confusing or even simply bewildering especially when they have to start making decisions in Year 9 and 10.

Recent research has revealed that 82% of young Australians have “no idea” what they want to do with their careers.* So it’s time to get aLife.

aLife is a new interactive DVD and website (www.aLife.net.au) that helps young people to explore different career options and gives them lots of information on each career choice to help them make the right decision. Disks will be delivered free to every Secondary School, University and TAFE across Australia. Read more

First Fleet’s Transportation to the Digital World

In a world first, the State Library of NSW is opening the vaults to its unrivalled First Fleet collection at 6pm tonight for its launch online at www.sl.nsw.gov.au. NSW Governor Maria Bashir will officially launch the First Fleet online collection, and Australian actor Jack Thompson will read excerpts from the First Fleet journals. Read more

Helping Graduates Embark on a Career

University graduates now have an unprecedented opportunity to jump start their careers, thanks to Australia’s newest and most innovative web-based career readiness advice and training business.

Embark Career Readiness Centre was founded by Cheryl Hayman (pictured), one of Australia’s best known and respected marketers. Cheryl has over 20 years experience as a senior marketer in multinational organisations including George Weston Foods, Yum! Restaurants and Unilever, spanning Australia, NZ and the United Kingdom.

Cheryl also owns and manages a strategic marketing and business consultancy, Hayman Strategy, providing a broad range of business and marketing solutions to a variety of corporations. Read more

Every child needs a hero

In an initiative to help raise money for local Australian primary schools and support children devastated by the impact of abuse, neglect and family violence, the Australian Childhood Foundation has invited more than 5000 schools to participate in its Childhood Hero Dress-up Day, which will be held on Friday 13th June 2008.

Students who wish to dress up as their childhood hero will be asked to donate $2.00 to their school. Fifty per cent of the funds raised will be retained by the school and 50 per cent will be donated to the Australian Childhood Foundation. The school that raises the most money will win a Fujifilm FinePix S5700 camera.

The Australian Childhood Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers a range of services to help put a stop to child abuse. Childhood Hero Dress-up Day gives children an opportunity to acknowledge the heroes in their lives. A childhood hero could be a sporting identity, family member, community member such as a policeman, fireman, or a super hero.

According to the Australian Childhood Foundation’s CEO, Dr Joe Tucci, the Foundation’s schools program is a critical component of its annual Childhood Hero Appeal.

“Each year we are strongly supported by Australian schools,” explains Dr Tucci.

“Schools are a critical avenue of getting information to teachers, parents, children and their local communities. Childhood Hero Dress Up Day gives us all an opportunity to celebrate the fun, innocence and importance of childhood, while at the same time raise much needed funds for schools and the Foundation.”

Schools are also encouraged to incorporate the theme of Childhood Hero into the curriculum including Show and Tell, Art and Writing and Expression.

“We believe every child needs a hero to make them feel special, loved and cared for,” says Dr Tucci. “Our annual Childhood Hero Appeal and schools program help raise awareness of the importance of heroes and mentors in children’s lives, particularly those who need heroes the most: children traumatised by abuse, family violence and neglect.”

Child abuse is Australia’s most critical community problem. Last year, there were 309 517 new reports of child abuse and neglect received across Australia. That equates to one report every two minutes. More infants under the age of 12 months were found to have been abused or neglected than children in any other age group. Last year, there were more children living away from their family for their own protection than ever before. The number of children in care has more than doubled in the past decade – increasing from 13 979 in 1996 to 28 441 in 2007.

All money raised from Childhood Hero Dress Up Day will go towards: Counselling children who are victims of abuse; educational programs for professionals and parents; and researching the effects of child abuse in the community.

For schools interested in participating in Childhood Hero Dress Up Day, a registration site has been established at the website.