Gaining recognised training in hospitality or tourism from a TAFE or private college provides people not only with certification, but a ticket to work almost anywhere worldwide. A fast-paced and dynamic industry, there are tourism hubs around the world populated companies – many with bases in numerous countries allowing further travel options – that are looking for trained, skilled and professionally presented employees.
Dave Drayton speaks to Andrew Michaels, a graduate from the William Blue School of Hospitality and past employee of one of Australia’s most revered casinos, Star City.
Dave: What course did you study at Billy Blue?
Andy: I did Certificate III and Certificate IV in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Dave: Hospitality is such a varied sector, from front of house to the head of the kitchen, how did the course cater for this variety?
Andy: We were educated on the management perspective of all hospitality departments as well as the overarching business management. This featured Accounting, Business law, Tax, as well as more focused niches like front office management, food and beverage studies as well as housekeeping management.
Dave: Since completing your degree, what work have you undertaken in hospitality or tourism?
Andy: Immediately after graduating I started a management traineeship with Star City Hotel that was awarded through Billy Blue. This saw me working in every department within the hotel and sampling every position from housekeeper to Hotel manager for a period of six months. It was a great foundation for a career in hospitality and allowed me to focus my vision in the workplace.
Dave: How well did Billy Blue prepare you for this?
Andy: The education I received gave me a theoretical and in some cases a practical understanding of all that I faced. In some ways, Billy Blue was run like a hotel, the different shifts, the uniforms; it kept it exciting and made it seem “real world.”
Dave: Have you done any additional study to compliment your learning at Billy Blue?
Andy: My Certificate III and Certificate IV at Billy Blue were followed by a Bachelor of Business Management at La Trobe University via correspondence, which is a benefit of the two schools working together.