Tourism industry bodies to tackle skills shortage

Tourism Industry bodies have partnered with the State Government to fund four new projects to tackle the skills shortage in the WA tourism and hospitality industries.

The full text of an announcement from Tourism Minister Sheila McHale announcement is pasted below

The State Government will fund several practical new initiatives to tackle the skills shortage in the Western Australian tourism and hospitality industries.

Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said four projects would aim to attract tourism and hospitality workers through skilled migration, industry career promotions and better industry training.

Ms McHale said the Australian Hotels Association, Tourism Council of WA, and Hospitality and Tourism Industry Training Council would share in about $200,000 to fund separate projects.

"This initiative is about funding practical ways to target the skills shortage in the tourism and hospitality industries," she said.

"It is no secret that WA's booming economy has brought challenges in the area of skills shortages - this is about doing something to help fix it."

The Minister said the funding was being offered under the Government's new Workforce Partnership Program. Tourism WA called for submissions to the program earlier this year and received a range of suggestions.

"The Workforce Partnership Program was offered to not-for-profit tourism organisations to fund industry-led ideas which addressed the skills shortage," she said.

Ms McHale said the grants included:

- $50,000 to the Australian Hotels Association for a feasibility study to place skilled Balinese workers at sponsoring hotels for up to 12 months. A further $75,000 was potentially available to implement the study;

- $50,000 to Tourism Council of WA to promote career opportunities in the tourism industry at the Careers and Education Expo 2007 in May; and

- $15,283 to the Hospitality and Tourism Industry Training Council to develop a practical guide to workforce development.

These three initiatives have attracted contributions from the tourism industry of more than $300,000, bringing the program's total investment to $500,000.

"These initiatives, led by the tourism and hospitality industry aim to bring about improved attraction and retention strategies," the Minister said.

"The Carpenter Government is working to ensure our strong economy delivers jobs and opportunities for all Western Australians now and in the future."