Latest News

Gemma Plater, Pat Speechly (trainer), Rikki Field, Luke Metchett, Leeanne Painter, Connor Fear and Luke Ellis. Pic: Lynne Mowbray

Hands on training pays off

Gemma Plater, Pat Speechly (trainer), Rikki Field, Luke Metchett, Leeanne Painter, Connor Fear and Luke Ellis. Pic: Lynne Mowbray
Gemma Plater, Pat Speechly (trainer), Rikki Field, Luke Metchett, Leeanne Painter, Connor Fear and Luke Ellis. Pic: Lynne Mowbray
  A joint venture between the Maclean Bowling Club and NORTEC training has paved the way for six graduates, in the hospitality industry. Students Luke Ellis, Luke Metchett, Leeanne Painter, Rikki Field, Gemma Plater and Connor Fear were given the opportunity to showcase their acquired skills, at a luncheon last Thursday. Guests at the luncheon included Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis, John Riggall from the Maclean Chamber of Commerce along with representatives and management from Iluka, Brooms Head, Yamba and Maclean Bowling Clubs, Maclean Services Club and Botero Coffee. The luncheon gave the graduates the opportunity to say thank you to the Maclean Bowling Club for their commitment to the quality training, which they received over the last six weeks. The short course gave the participants both the theory as well as the practical experience needed to help build their confidence levels and give them the hands on experience of dealing with the public, within the work environment. Maclean Bowling Club general manager Mark Williams said that the joint venture with NORTEC was very exciting. “Over the last six weeks we have seen them (the students) blossom,” said Mr Williams. “They have served at a few of our functions here and have really shone.” “When a person has been unemployed for some time, it’s sometimes a big thing for them to turn up on time. “But all of these students turned up on time and they are all keen to improve their life,” he said. Maclean Bowling Clubs operations manager Pat Speechly worked with the students through their practical training which included: operate a bar, clean and tidy a bar area, serve food and beverage and personal hygiene practises for food safety. The students attained both their RSA and RCG tickets. One of the graduates Luke Ellis said that for the last five years he has been a stay at home dad while his wife worked. “I want to get work and be able to pay my own way. You don’t want a hand out all your life,” he said. Leeanne Painter said that the course was exceptional. “Not only did we get the theory side but having the practical side as well, was definitely a major advantage,” she said. Ms Painter said that she had worked at the Hotel Bondi (in Sydney) from 1987-1996 and wanted to up skill and get back into the hospitality industry again. “Things have changed in the industry over the years, even in the way you pour a beer,” she said. Rikki Field would like to move away from the area to find work. “I’m hoping that now I have this new certificate, it will open more doors for me,” she said. By the end of the luncheon, two of the graduates had been given work.