Deloraine woman heads up tourism training

Minister for Small Business, Hospitality and Events, Sarah Courtney announced Emilie Donovan’s (right) appointment as CEO of the Tasmanian Tourism and Hospitality organisation with TTH chair Aaron Devine. Photo supplied

Sharon Webb

DELORAINE TRAINING expert Emilie Donovan has been appointed to a new role to boost tourism and hospitality training for Tasmanians.

Ms Donovan is inaugural CEO of the Tasmanian Tourism and Hospitality organisation and will work with the industry to find out their training needs and implement them.

‘We’ll focus initially on non-accredited training and definitely look immediately at filling training gaps, working with training providers to bring that training to the industry

‘Work already done shows training gaps include chef training, operational staff and middle management supervisors’ leadership.

‘Ideally we’ll be looking at using existing training facilities.

There needs to be some promotion to get Tasmanians interested and excited about working in the industry, so that will be a big focus as well.’

Announcing the appointment, Minister for Small Business, Hospitality and Events, Sarah Courtney said Ms Donovan has two decades of experience working for the Australian Maritime College’s training and consultancy division.

‘She has been providing industry-led specialised non-accredited and accredited training tailored to align to industry needs and demands.

‘Emilie understands the importance of working with industry to provide the right training at the right time.’

Ms Courtney said that before COVID almost 50,000 Tasmanians had been employed in tourism and hospitality.

‘These industries have told us they need to provide training pathways for employees.’

TTH chair Aaron Devine said, ‘Skills and workforce development are the most critical issues facing the tourism industry now.

‘Projections show there will be ongoing growth in this area and therefore ongoing skill needs.’