Joseph (L) (pictured with his SQW mentors Steve and Hayley) has completed the Hospitality Rising Stars program and is now working as a Kitchen Steward at the Hilton.

Joseph was tired of being unemployed. He had been out of work and receiving Centrelink payments for a number of years and decided it was time to get his life back on track and explore different career options.

His first stop was Skill360, where he enquired about what training programs might be available to help him get skilled for work. Joseph explained to the team that he has ADHD, which had been a barrier for him with some employers in the past. But he was very enthusiastic and wanted to make a change.

Discovering that Joseph had some previous hospitality experience and training, his mentor, Steven, recommended Joseph enrol in the Hospitality Rising Stars course, delivered by Skill360 as part of the Queensland State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) program.

SQW courses provide Queensland jobseekers with the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience, develop workplace skills and connect with local employers. The Hospitality Rising Stars program, run in conjunction with Smart and Skilled within the Hilton Hotel, is focused on the backroom operations of the hotel industry. Over a 12-week period, participants gain practical skills and experience in areas such as concierge, laundry and meal preparation, while completing their Certificate II in Hospitality Operations.

For Joseph, the Hospitality Rising Stars program also helped him to develop important soft skills. Working with the training team and his mentors, Joseph learned about the importance of empathy, active listening, and professional presentation.

The Skill360 team were also able to assist Joseph with practical support in the form of transportation, so he could get to and from his course.

Joseph’s enthusiasm for the work quickly shone through. While completing the course, he used his connections from the program to enquire about openings in the Hilton’s kitchen department.

“I thought I needed to make the best of it and network since I’m already here,” said Joseph. “I asked the kitchen managers countless times if there were any openings, and luckily enough there was a casual position available after a few months. In May I was hired!”

Now, Joseph is working for the Hilton as a casual Kitchen Steward and is looking forward to gaining full-time employment and continuing to build his skills.

“I hate being home and doing nothing,” Joseph said. “When I first started I looked at these people (the hotel workers) and I wanted to be them. Now that I’m employed by the Hilton, I can see myself working full-time and as a manager!”

Find out more about upcoming Skilling Queenslanders for Work courses in 2024.

Skill360 is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO:1607) and a part of The BUSY Group, an Australian community organisation offering employment, education, health and training programs to support individuals with their careers and businesses with their human resourcing needs.