Hobart cafe gets million-dollar boost for training programs
A million-dollar grant earmarked for Hobart's Hamlet Café is expected to significantly enhance their on-the-job training initiatives. The grant supports individuals overcoming employment barriers in hospitality.
Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff announced on Wednesday that Hamlet Cafe would receive an additional $1 million in the upcoming Budget. He stated, "Hamlet does an extraordinary job training people facing barriers to employment with a focus on those living with disability."
Rockliff elaborated on the training provided: "From customer service to a career in cooking, trainees learn job-ready skills at Hamlet’s commercial kitchen and cafe."
He also highlighted the government's past and present support, saying, "Our government strongly supports this work, previously investing in Hamlet’s commercial kitchen and supporting operations."
Addressing the broader industry needs, Rockliff added, "There is a strong demand for hospitality staff across the state, and the training provided by Hamlet can play an important role in meeting ongoing demand."
Hamlet, identified as a registered charity "that exists to empower people who are under-represented in the workforce, with a focus on people living with disability," offers valuable opportunities.
Jim Mackey, a participant in Hamlet's programs, shared his positive experience: "It’s an awesome organisation. I started out doing the kitchen program, and then I went, moved to front of house," he said. Reflecting on his journey, Mackey added, "I suffered a stroke a while ago I’ve been coming to Hamlet for two years and those two years have been a meaningful part of my life. I was a tradesman for 10 years, so I definitely didn’t think of hospitality is an area that I would ever move into."
CEO Emily Briffa emphasised the impact of the funding on Hamlet's ability to deliver tailored training to people with disabilities. "It’s huge for an organisation like Hamlet, I think for organisations in the community services sector, especially small ones like ours, having certainty of funding is a bit of a game changer," she noted.
Briffa also highlighted the operational benefits: "You know, we’re a relatively small team, and when we are applying for grants or sort of doing the advocacy to get funding, year on year, it can take someone out of doing the work that we need to be doing day to day. So, yeah, it’s fantastic — it means that the next four years, we’ll really be able to focus on doing the work that we want to do."
Jonathan Jackson, 8th May 2025
