Schwartz hospitality college scheduled for October launch
Hospitality icon Jerry Schwartz is gearing up to welcome the inaugural batch of students to his Newcastle hospitality college in October.
Permanent teaching facilities will be located in the former Century Antiques building on Centenary Drive.
The school is set to open following the attainment of training accreditation, with students to undergo training at Rydges Hotel while the preparations at the permanent location are finalised.
The NSW Education Standards Authority gave the green light to the college's plans, approving the offering of courses covering hospitality, IT, spa therapy, and brewing.
Key personnel for the college have already been appointed, with further recruitment expected in the coming months. Dr. Schwartz, who holds a stake in the venture, oversees a workforce of around 1200 individuals across his three Hunter hotels: Hunter Valley Crowne Plaza, Rydges Newcastle, and Newcastle Novotel.
"It will be fantastic to have a locally-based college that can serve all of the hotels in this region," Dr Schwartz previously said.
A pivotal aspect of the college's offerings will include an on-site training brewery, which will not only serve as an educational facility but also supply beer to a bar and function centre slated for the ground floor of the crossing apartment block on Merewether Street.
"In recent years Newcastle has seen an increase in popularity towards the craft beer industry and nightlife throughout the Civic area and therefore an increase in supply of local breweries and bars operating in Newcastle that support this industry," a recently lodged development application for the bar and function centre said.
Dr Schwartz is working closely with the University of Newcastle on training.
"They have got lots of good ideas, for example, they want to do a wine appreciation and wine manufacturing course, which works brilliantly because it will expose people to the different vineyards in the Hunter region," he said.
"They also have a strong emphasis on on-the-job training.
"It's something I totally support because you don't want to just have theory and no practical experience. I'm keen to help facilitate those opportunities in my businesses."
Jonathan Jackson, 29th February 2024
