Hospitality courses at CDU face up to industry challenge

Territory businesses have been facing one of the worst labour shortages the industry has seen with travel restrictions and broader industry uncertainty amid COVID-19 infection numbers have slowed the supply of some hospitality staff.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is supporting the hospitality industry ensuring graduates are equipped and prepared to work in the industry by delivering hands-on training to support careers such as barista, bar attendant, waiter, chef and restaurant manager.

The continued growth of Australia’s hospitality industry is great news for CDU students enrolled in culinary arts and hospitality courses. There are projected to be around 33,000 job opportunities in the industry Australia-wide between now and 2023.

There is currently such a high demand for hospitality staff in the Northern Territory and Australia that international students are being allowed to work unlimited paid work hours. Before 2020, international students could work only 40 hours a fortnight during their studies.

CDU operates the Karawa Training Restaurant at its Palmerston Campus, offering students an opportunity to put the theory into practice and experience new-world hospitality operations.

Karawa is open to the public through a booking form and offers affordable prices. The restaurant is entirely operated by CDU students and training staff.

CDU VET Team Leader in Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Robert Schwerdt, said hands-on learning was essential in ensuring the future hospitality workforce is up to the challenge.

“Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been experiencing increasing demands and challenges in the Northern Territory’s hospitality industry,” Mr Schwerdt said.

“It’s critical for the future of the Northern Territory that CDU provides these facilities to skill the future hospitality workforce.”

Students at CDU’s Alice Spring campus also enjoy the valuable training offered at the Desert Lantern Restaurant, where they work to provide a fine dining experience for Central Territorians.

As part of the course structure, students learn about theoretical knowledge in classrooms and gain practical experiences while working in the training restaurants. Their assessments typically consist of cook-offs to test students’ practical skills.

Hospitality courses are offered at CDU’s Palmerston and Alice Springs campuses and short courses are now available at the Katherine campus. 

For bookings at the Karawa Restaurant, visit: cdu.edu.au/vocational-education-training/vet-businesses/karawa-training-restaurant
For bookings at the Desert Lantern Restaurant, visit: cdu.edu.au/vocational-education-training/vet-businesses/desert-lantern-restaurant