Gen Z digital engagement platform Year13 has announced a partnership with the NSW Department of Education promoting hospitality careers at an event attended by NSW Government representatives.
In attendance was Mark Barraket, deputy secretary education and skills reform, and wide-ranging Industry stakeholders, including Accor, Merivale, Solotel, Intowork and numerous hospitality education, recruitment and employer groups.
The partnership is anchored in a digital e-learning Academy aptly named “Cheers To Careers”, created to increase young people’s awareness and consideration of long-term careers and formal skills acquisition in the hospitality sector, including food and beverage, events and accommodation.
Year13 Academy is an established digital platform with interactive content created by young people for young people, hosted online and amplified through social media channels. The platform supports young people with life skills not taught at school and introduces them to industries and career opportunities they may not have heard of, let alone considered.
‘Cheers to Careers” will support the hospitality industry by exploring specific hospitality careers, training and growth pathways, across the food and service, beverage, accommodation and events sectors.
At the launch event Barraket said: “VET-Hospitality has the highest enrolments of any VET subjects through the HSC with many HSC students identifying it as their favourite subject, Yet post school, many don’t see the sector as a desirable career pathway instead as a stepping stone to support their chosen career development pathway. ‘
“Cheers To Careers’ is the start of shifting that perception and educating young people on the great opportunities and careers in the Hospitality sector”.
Year13 co-founder Will Stubley said “Year13’s purpose is to help young people live happier, healthier, more fulfilled lives and this is intrinsically connected to supporting them into high potential pathways and careers. All of our data supports that happiness at work impacts happiness in life, so supporting young people to achieve their post school goals, and supporting them with their wellbeing are our two core priorities.
“I started my career in Hospitality and the great skills I learned opened so many doors for me.”
Year13 national partnerships director Annie Mulders said: “We’re really proud of this partnership which will see Hospitality Careers promoted to over 1 million young people whilst they are making important life decisions, and helping to position hospitality as a viable long-term career option.”
See also: Year13: New kids on the digital media block cutting through to Gen Z