Student Guides: How To Be a Hospitality & Services Apprentice

Hoping to cook up a career in the Hopsitality Industry? But you don’t really know where to start? We've pulled together a guide of what's in an apprenticeship, how to get one and what the best part of getting involved in the industry!What’s involved in this industry?This industry category covers hospitality trades in restaurants, hotels and tourism fields as well as retail personal services.There is a huge range of career opportunities in this category including hotel management, commercial cookery, bakery, hairdressing, massage, community and health care, tourism, sport and recreation, retail, lifeguarding and butchery.What is an apprenticeship?Australian Apprenticeships is the title that covers both apprenticeships and traineeships. Australian Apprenticeships are jobs that combine paid work and structured training.With an Australian Apprenticeship you spend time in paid employment, learning practical skills on-the-job and putting them into practice.Structured training can be done either on-the-job or off-the-job training at a TAFE or another Registered Training Organisation (RTO), depending on the industry you are in. At the end of it, you can get a nationally recognised qualification.How long does it go for?Apprenticeships generally last between thirty six to forty eight months. Traineeships generally take between twelve to twenty four months to complete.How much do I get paid as an apprentice?Employers are governed by the National Training Wage Award System. To see how much you are entitled to earn as a trainee, call the Australian Workplace Authority . How much you can earn can depend on things including how much education or training you already have, or a competency-based wage.Wages could also depend on your age.How much do I get paid when I’m qualified?Kitchenhands can aim to earn around $581 per week. Butchers can aim to earn around $700 per week. Waiters can earn around $580 per week. Hotel Managers can earn around $789 per week. Beauty therapists can earn around $550 per week, while Children’s carers can earn around $650 per week.The best part of the job?“It’s really challenging thinking up new chocolate, perfecting new products. The Food Technician has an idea, or I do, and we work together measuring out flavours and fillings – but it doesn’t always work out.” Jason Grisold, Confectionary Filling Chef, says, “Sometimes you just need to add more flavours and it works out.” He laughs.

Anything else cool to know about?

Looking for inspiration? Check out some Podcasts chatting to apprentices about how they felt entering their apprenticeship.

SkillsOne has loads of short clips about apprentices in the Hospitality and Personal Services Industry. We visit one apprentice butcher who won apprentice of the year. We find out just why he loves working in the industry!

Trying to narrow down exactly what you want to do?

Several sites have Career Profiles and statistics about the jobs within the Hospitality industry that you might want to enter.

Check out:

My Future, which lists loads of Hospitality Profiles and an industry snapshot.

Job Guide lists loads of jobs in Hospitality .

Job Search has a listing of statistics about the industry - including job prospects and pay.

And SkillsOne, of course, has loads of Career Profiles.

Links to people who know how to please people!

Chef! - http://www.chef.org.au/

Service Skills Australia - http://www.serviceskills.com.au/

Hospitality Industry Association - http://hiabenefits.com/

Australian Hotels Association - http://www.aha.org.au/media.html

Carers Australia - http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/

Professional Hairdressers Association - http://www.professionalhair.com.au/pages/index.php

Australian Retailers Association - http://www.ara.com.au/

Outdoor Recreation Industry Council - http://www.oric.org.au/About/index.htm

[Sourced from: Skills Tasmania, Job Juice, Job Guide, Job Search, SkillsOne, My Career, Australian Apprenticeships, My Career.]