Mandurah Forum and the City of Mandurah have joined forces to run a first-of-its-kind youth hospitality training program at the Billy Dower Youth Centre.
Supported and run by Jobs South West, the 10-week hospitality program kicked off on July 25 and has provided 11 students with entry-level hospitality and retail skills, and a qualification of a Certificate II in Hospitality.
The nationally accredited course offered participants real workplace skills including customer service, barista skills, resume writing, and work experience in local retail and hospitality outlets.
Mandurah Forum developer Vicinity Centres is helping the participants gain hands-on experience by ensuring every student undertakes work placement through one of the Mandurah Forum retailers, has considerable interview skills and has the opportunity to get a real job interview with one of their retailers.
Mayor Marina Vergone said she was pleased the City could be a part of this brand new program offered to local young people.
“I’m delighted the program reflects what the City’s dedicated Youth Development team have been working towards for a very long time, building the skills and capacity of our local young people.
“The City is passionate about making Mandurah a place that our community is proud to call home well into the future, and this program ensures that local people are choosing to stay."
Vicinity Centres aims to have 50 percent of students from the program employed either part time or full time at the completion of their qualification.
The program is funded by the State Government with additional funding from Vicinity Centres to support students learning including youth worker support, cappuccino machine for training and interview attire.