The Snowy Valleys Way Project, in partnership with Wodonga TAFE, has launched a range of innovative, subsidised training courses throughout the project’s five Council areas. The Snowy Valleys Way training is available to all local businesses, residents and employees from the Shires of Gundagai, Tumut, Tumbarumba in New South Wales and Towong and Indigo in Victoria. Initially, the project was developed to encourage travellers to steer away from the traditional route from Melbourne to Sydney and onto the Snow Valleys Way. It is thought to be a first, with a number of Shires working together across the New South Wales/Victorian border.
General Manager of Tumbarumba Shire Council and Chair of the Snowy Valleys Way Project, Brian Pearson, said the project looks at improving weaknesses in local products and services while capitalising on local strengths.
“We had to make the region more attractive to visitors from the metropolitan regions and that meant more than just great scenery, the Snowy Mountains, the Murray River and some fantastic wines,” Brian Pearson said. “We also had to get the basics right. We had to make sure that visitors could get a warm welcome and a great cup of coffee.”
Wodonga TAFE provides the training, making courses more accessible to local businesses.
Wodonga TAFE’s, Tracey Holley, said a mobile kitchen and classroom, ‘Hospitality On Wheels’, is used to conduct courses in locations where the businesses are.
“Their travel and inconvenience are minimised, and this has really boosted acceptance of the training throughout the five Shires,” she said.
More than 65 businesses and employees participated in a first round of subsidised courses, which began in January.
“All courses offered in this second round will be heavily subsidised by the Snowy Valleys Way Project,” Tracey Holley said. “This makes the courses accessible to all local businesses and entrepreneurs.” The majority of participants from round one courses included businesses and people interested in improving their skills across a wide range of tourism service areas. Tracey Holley said that people wanting to gain entry into the hospitality industry and job network clients have also participated in the programs.
Some of the courses available include restaurant and beverage service, food handlers course, wine appreciation, espresso coffee, e-business, merchandising and retail, and brand promotion and business planning. As part of the wine appreciation course, participants learnt about local wines so that they could confidently recommend them to visitors.
“It is important for us to promote our region as much as we can to remain sustainable,” Brian Pearson said.
For further information about the courses contact Tracey Holley on (02) 6055 6718, and for the Snowy Valleys Way touring route visit www.snowyvalleysway.com.au
