SCHOOL wasn’t quite working out for a group of hospitality students who hope their studies at Tomaree Community College will give them the skills to excel in the workforce.
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The eleven participants are enrolled in the Certificate II in Hospitality course that gives them 25 hours of face-to-face learning each week in addition to on-the-job training.
Once they have completed the 16-week course they will have the opportunity to study for the their Certificate III in Hospitality and receive their recognition of school attainment (a kind of high school equivalency).
Emma Hankinson, 15, was one of the students to take part in the course.
“School wasn’t really my thing,” she said.
“[This course] has been really useful, learning skills for working life.”
The state funded program (Smart and Skilled) is delivered through the Real Futures Foundation which helped placed the high school students with Tomaree Community College.
Their work placement continued this week at Milo’s Table.
Run through the Red Eye Cafe, Raymond Terrace, Milo’s Table shows care for the less fortunate with a restaurant standard, two-course meal.
The students had to use their skills to serve food and beverages.
“The whole program has helped them with personal growth and Milo’s Table is another part of that,” school support officer Deb Mould said.
Red Eye owners Kim and Alan Williams started Milo’s Table 18 months ago as a way to help people without taking away their dignity.
“There’s always a need for people to feel wanted and part of the community and this meal helps fulfill that,” Mr Williams said.
There’s always a need for people to feel wanted and part of the community and this meal helps fulfill that. We definitely believe in paying forward.
- Alan Williams, Red Eye Cafe owner
“We definitely believe in paying it forward.”
Red Eye Cafe covers the cost of the meals, from groceries to preparation, while the Samaritans and the Benevolent Society recommend the clients for the meals.
Milo's Table community dinner is held on the last Tuesday of each month at the cafe on the corner of William and Sturgeon streets.