So, you want to pursue a career in hospitality? Fantastic! But how do you go about getting a job in the industry, and do you need a qualification to succeed?
Many young people choose to work in hospitality while they study or travel. If you're just planning to work in a cafe on your weekends to get some extra cash, you probably won't need to study a course in order to get a job. However, if you're planning to stay in hospitality, move up in the industry, or potentially run your own business down the line, you'll definitely need a qualification. Here's why:
The tourism industry in Australia as a whole is experiencing a skills shortage.
Employers are looking for hospitality staff with a rounded skillset
Having a hospitality qualification under your belt will give you an advantage over other candidates when applying for hospitality jobs - particularly more senior roles.
The tourism industry in Australia as a whole is experiencing a skills shortage, and the hospitality sector in particular. An Impos study revealed that 54 per cent of hospitality businesses are having difficulty recruiting and retaining new staff. And the primary reason for this? They can't find workers with the right skills, according to Deloitte research.
To stand out from other candidates, you need to demonstrate that you have the skills required to succeed in the hospitality industry.Consider your employer's perspective. They want to get their hands on a worker who is not only talented with great customer service skills, but also has the leadership skills and management knowledge to succeed in the industry. Employers don't just need baristas and wait staff; they need bar managers, restaurant managers and supervisors.
If you've taken a hospitality management course, you'll stand out from other candidates applying for positions who don't have a qualification - or a qualification in an unrelated field. The host of other skills an industry-recognised qualification give you (management, HR, finances and marketing) will make you a lot more valuable to employers looking for people with a more advanced skillset.
Employers are looking to hire people they think will stick around.
A hospitality qualification shows employers you're dedicated to the industry
High turnover rates are one of the biggest issues facing Australia's hospitality employers at the moment. The industry has become increasingly casualised due to the fact that many people choose to work in cafes, restaurants and bars for short periods, before moving on.
In the restaurant and cafe industry, turnover rates are a whopping 88 per cent, Deloitte research shows. This has a huge impact on bottom lines for hospitality employers. And what does this mean for you? They're looking to hire people they think will stick around.
A hospitality qualification tells employers you want a career in the industry, and are more likely to stay for the long-term.A qualification in hospitality indicates to employers you are dedicated to the industry. In other words, you're not just applying for a job to pay your way through university or your travels - you want to make a career out of it. You're someone who's in it for the long-term, an attractive quality that makes you far more employable.
A qualification in hospitality management sets you up to run your own business
Another one of the benefits of a qualification in hospitality is that it equips you with a range of skills you can use to start your own hospitality business. This might not be a goal for everyone, but if you do decide to open your own bar, cafe or restaurant one day, a qualification will stand you in good stead.
The benefits of a hospitality management qualification from Kenvale College
However, hospitality management courses are designed to provide you not only with the industry basics, but also skills in marketing, HR, operations management and finances you need to make it as a small business owner.Of the Australian businesses that failed in 2015-16, 79 per cent of them were small businesses. The skills shortages and high turnover rates facing hospitality businesses in particular that we've already mentioned make succeeding as a business owner difficult.
Kenvale College offers courses in hospitality management taught by award-winning industry experts. We've got small classes, so you'll enjoy a personalised study experience and share your learning journey with a close cohort of friends. Every student takes part in paid work so you'll gain hands-on experience while you study, applying the knowledge you're acquiring as you go.
Studying hospitality management at Kenvale College will set you up for a career in the industry.
A Kenvale College qualification well and truly sets you up for a career in hospitality.
And the other great part about studying at Kenvale College? Our industry liaison program guarantees you a job at the end of your studies. A Kenvale College qualification is not just a piece of paper - it sets you up for a career in hospitality.
So, do you need a qualification to work in hospitality? Not if you're just wanting a casual job for the short-term, but absolutely if you want to make a career out of it. When faced with the choice of two equally experienced and capable candidates, an employer is going to pick the one with the qualification because they will have the skills and dedication they're looking for.
Would you like to discuss the benefits of a hospitality management qualification at Kenvale College? Give one of our course advisers a call on 9314 6213 or get in touch using our online form.
