Charlie Phillips
In an industry first, Otago Polytechnic and Queenstown
Resort College have been working together to bring a new level
of education to Queenstown.
Starting at the end of this month, a range of courses will be
on offer designed to add to the skills of those people
working in Queenstown's hospitality industry.
The programme will be a "true joint venture", and a first for
the polytech, Otago Polytechnic regional manager Jean
Tilleyshort said.
"In the past we [Otago Polytechnic] have subcontracted out
[courses].
"But we are looking to meet the needs of Queenstown-ers,
while realising we would probably not want to build a
facility there ourselves."
Much work had been done over the past few months converting
"what would be a full-time course in Dunedin" into modules
which would "fit around a full-time work schedule", she said.
The range of courses on offer will include barista training,
chef management training in cost control and kitchen
profitability, and customer service courses.
QRC general manager Charlie Phillips said the initial range
of short courses was just the start of a long-term
relationship between the institutions.
Ms Tilleyshort said the two institutions would "work together
to increase the range of courses available".
General management courses which could be used in any
industry, from construction to viticulture, would be
included, she said.
The courses, which begin at the end of this month, have been
designed to accommodate the needs of Queenstown workers who
are too busy for full-time education.
"Queenstown is quite a unique market," Ms Tilleyshort said.
The new collaborative courses were different from those
already run by Otago Polytechnic in that they could count
towards diplomas or degrees in management, she said.
With the courses starting at the end of the month, businesses
would be able to train or increase staff skills in the
lead-up to the busy summer season.
The courses would also cater for those with prior experience.
Mr Phillips said the courses were the result of a great
collaboration between the parties and only phase one in a
long-term plan.
"This is the beginning of a consortium between regional
providers, pooling resources to deliver affordable
skills-based training," he said.
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