University of Newcastle’s International Hotel School To Address Tourism Skills Shortage
The University of Newcastle is set to open an International Hotel School as the next phase in a plan to address labour shortages that plague the tourism sector in the region and beyond.
As the first step in addressing the challenge, a number of excited students will become the first group to commence a new Bachelor of Tourism, Hospitality and Events at the University of Newcastle next month.
With the tourism industry experiencing a green patch of growth, the introduction of the new degree program has come at an ideal time. Combined with the hands-on practical experience that the Newcastle International Hotel School will provide, students will graduate with the business acumen and employability skills to enjoy a vibrant and successful career in tourism, hospitality and events management.
The tourism industry has been identified as one of Australia’s ‘high growth’ industries and has a current labour shortage, with a record 423,500 positions unfilled across tourism, hospitality and events.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, AO said the new degree was an important milestone for the region, with tourism in the Hunter set to grow over the next decade.
“We are committed to being a University for our region and I am really excited that we are now able to offer a new degree that will address an industry gap for our own region and also the rest of Australia.
“Local tourism and hospitality businesses are looking for more staff and we know this need will only increase as the tourism industry continues to grow. We want to provide the best practical learning experience for our students and that’s why as part of the next phase of this program we will work with local industry partners and vocational education providers, such as TAFE NSW, to provide a Newcastle International Hotel School.”
“With projects like the Newcastle International Airport expansion already underway, we are only going to see our tourism potential grow over the coming years, so I am proud that we are at the forefront, equipping our students with the skills to meet this growing market.”
The University of Newcastle’s Bachelor of Tourism, Hospitality and Events sits within the Newcastle Business School in the College of Human and Social Futures and will be delivered through a unique partnership with TAFE NSW.
The University’s partnership with TAFE NSW, will allow students to study at both TAFE NSW and the University of Newcastle for the first 18 months, and then move to full time study at the University of Newcastle for their final 18 months.
This will provide the added advantage of allowing students to graduate with both an Advanced Diploma from TAFE NSW and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Newcastle in just three years, creating more education pathways and fast-tracking employability opportunities.