Douglas Shire residents now have more variety when it comes to local training providers, with new hospitality and commercial cookery qualifications now available in Mossman, and a training development program for diving instructors set to launch in Port Douglas from 2014. 

In a boost for the tourism and hospitality-heavy region, Mossman-based company Far North Training and Consultancy now offers Certificate III in Hospitality and Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.

“One of the benefits for business in Port Douglas is that the Certificate III in Hospitality course is State Government funded under the Certificate III Guarantee, making student costs minimal. Plus, the employer gains a qualified student” said FNTC’s Chief Executive, Liz Ross.

The Guarantee aims to provide every Queenslander the opportunity to complete a nationally recognised qualification leading to employment or further career progression.

Queensland’s rebounding tourism industry, thanks to strong growth in domestic and international visitor numbers and expenditure, and a boost from the lower Australian dollar, has led the Port Douglas recovery.

With more employment opportunities likely to become available as a result, hospitality skills are a valuable commodity; already, as The Newsport reported on July 23 this year, more than 11 per cent of jobs in the Leichhardt electorate are devoted to tourism.

“We can assess on the job and we’re also able to provide training in quieter periods.  The funding is available to both employed people with no previous qualification, or unemployed wishing to gain a Certificate III qualification,” Ms Ross explained.

In addition, diving instructors will benefit from a new Blue Dive training development program, launched on Friday at a Career Information Evening.

The new dive course is expected to cater to growing demand and interest in the sport, as local reef tour operators demonstrate a renewed confidence in investment. Calypso and Reef Sprinter recently bought in new boats, and Quicksilver has been forced to run both its boats simultaneously,

Blue Dive was established in 2008 by Mark Frenkel, and is now celebrating its new status as a PADI Instructors Centre. Blue Dive is ranked first out of Trip Advisor’s 57 Port Douglas activities. Mr Frenkel previously managed Red Sea Diving College, which was awarded Dive Centre of the Year two years in a row.

From early next year, Blue Dive will offer two two-week instructor training courses involving practical skills specific to the Port Douglas diving industry, and required knowledge related to local operations.

“We are appealing to students who wish to train for their dream job of working as a diving instructor here,” said Mr Frankel.

 

FNTC’s other courses include:

• Responsible Service of Alcohol
• Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee
• Certificate III in Beauty Services
• Certificate II in Retail Make-Up and Skin Care
• Certificate III in Business Administration

FNTC's Certificate III in Hospitality course runs for 10 weeks. For more information, visit farnorthtraining.com.au/course-page/certificate-iii-in-hospitality-2/.