New expo to shine light on exciting and diverse careers in hotels
Travel opportunities, world-class training, active social lives and diverse career pathways; it’s not too good to be true, for it is exactly what those working in professional occupations across Australia’s hotel industry are experiencing says organisers behind the new industry-led initiative the Hotel Career Expo, launched today by the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events the Hon. Stuart Ayres MP alongside representatives from NSW’s leading hotels and Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) NSW.
From public relations, marketing, human resources, engineering and IT, to accounting, event management and the culinary - the career pathways available in the hotel industry are some of the most diverse and well supported in the world.
Megan Knoetze, Area Director of Human Capital and Development – Oceania at Pan Pacific Hotels Group, said that the general public often don’t know about the amazing opportunities a career in a hotel offers and the Hotel Career Expo is an important step in educating people about what is available.
“The diverse range of roles, across various disciplines, are all under one roof – not only that, these careers are also supported by numerous benefits such as travel and professional development opportunities to social activities and getting your laundry done for free!” said Ms Knoetze.
Daniel Gerritse, Associate Director of Sales, has already enjoyed a successful career in sales and business development at the Park Hyatt Sydney. At only 25 years old he has completed world-renowned training thanks to his employer, has travelled and stayed in some of the most beautiful establishments across the globe and met some intriguing people; the kind of people you see plastered across tabloids all around the world.
“I’d encourage anyone contemplating a career change, graduating from university or leaving school to certainly consider a career in hotels. The money-can’t-buy moments I have experienced to date, not to mention the amazing people I have met, are incredible. In addition, I feel that in the hotel industry, I can really make my mark and have a different day – everyday!” said Mr Gerritse.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said ensuring we have the right people, with the right skills, in the industry is critical to the delivery of a world-class visitor experiences and to NSW’s competitiveness as a destination.
“This is why the NSW Government is committed to encouraging career choices in tourism and hospitality. The Hotel Career Expo will play an important role in attracting the next generation of skilled and ambitious tourism and hospitality professionals.
“With the support of industry, we want to see the growth of tourism and hospitality careers, as the industry really does offer a great world of opportunities for young people,” concluded Minister Ayres.
The Hotel Career Expo is an industry initiative that has seen hotel representatives from some of NSW’s leading establishments come together to lift the profile of the industry as a whole, and address the workforce issues facing the sector.
The Deloitte Access Australian Tourism Labour Force Report (2012) forecasted that by 2015, there will be demand for a further 56,676 skilled and unskilled workers in the hotel sector nationally. In response to that report, TAA in June 2015 undertook a Labour Trends in Accommodation Survey amongst NSW members and found that there were significant skill shortages for a range of managerial and supervisory positions – hence the intensifying need to encourage people to either give a career in the hotel world a go, and for those already in the hotel industry – to stay.
The Hotel Career Expo will take place on the 16 May 2016 at the InterContinental Sydney.
For more information, visit: www.hotelcareerexpo.com.au
