The Australian Tourism and Hospitality Skills Symposium, a key national event, takes place in Brisbane on 26 November to address the pressing issue on skills shortages.

The symposium is a national conversation that brings together employers, training providers, higher education institutions, and stakeholders to explore actionable solutions to workforce gaps in the tourism and hospitality sectors. It is convened by the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.

“With Australia’s tourism and hospitality sectors experiencing a sustained shortage of skilled workers, the event aims to foster an interactive dialogue on aligning skills training with industry needs,” ITECA chief executive, Troy Williams, said.

Attendees will gain insight into what employers are seeking in the workforce and the types of courses and programs required to meet these demands.

“To sustain growth in the tourism and hospitality sectors, we need to ensure that education and training providers are equipping students with the right skills, and that employers have the workforce they need to deliver exceptional service,” Willams added.

“We can’t solve this problem in silos. By bringing together employers and education providers, we’ll develop a shared roadmap that ensures training programs are aligned with industry needs. This event is a unique opportunity to foster those crucial partnerships.”

The symposium is expected to deliver practical takeaways, empowering decision-makers with the knowledge required to shape future programs and foster collaborative opportunities.

The symposium will also tackle the nexus between international education and workforce shortages in the tourism and hospitality sector. It offers delegates the opportunity to participate in discussions that inform future decisions on training program delivery, workforce development, and strategies to address ongoing skills shortages.

“The Australian Government’s attack on the international education sector will slash the number of international students coming to study in Australia has the unfortunate outcome of depriving the tourism and hospitality sectors of skilled workers,” Williams concluded.