Time for a Career Change?

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It’s been an unusual and tough start to the year of 2020. You might have lost your job, been stood-down or had an extended ‘holiday’ due to COVID-19. During this time, you may have been left thinking about your lifestyle, job and what career path you actually want to take.

Many of us have been stuck at home with extra time on our hands to think about… everything. In particular, people have been left thinking about a career change. Did this crisis make you think about changing up your career? If so, a great step in doing that would be to gain a qualification in your preferred sector! 

In addition, even if you’re not looking for a career change as such, having qualifications behind you is a great way to be prepared for sudden change. 

How do I kick start a career change?

A great step to take when wanting a career change is to complete some relevant training. Whether that be a Certificate 3 in something or a job ready course. Depending on what sector you currently work in and what you’re aiming to get in to, of course. You may be coming from an office job and wanting to move into hospitality. Therefore a great job ready course would be a Barista Course or an RSA course.

In addition, a certificate 3 or even 4 would be a great option if you’re wanting to get straight into a new career.  For example, a Certificate 3 in Aged Care would provide you with a certification as well as a potential job upon competition. Training and career in one! 

Benefits of study

The most obvious benefits of studying would be learning new skills. Studying allows you to learn new things about certain topics, but it also opens the door to the work industry or even a career change. No matter what age, studying is always beneficial. Whether you’re looking for a career change, new job or just want to get something behind you as a backup plan. There are numerous courses to help you achieve those goals!

Affordable study options

Studying can sometimes seem daunting due to the cost. However, HITsa offer affordable courses as well as government subsidised courses. There are a range of government funded courses including a Certificate 3 in Individual Support, Certificate 3 in Hospitality and more. These courses would be great for those who have recently lost their job and looking for a new career.

Check your eligibility for government funded courses here.

HITsa can help you with your career change

Furthermore, whether you’re wanting to get into the work force, seeking a career change or just wanting to gain new skills and knowledge to fall back on to. HITsa offer a great range of nationally recognised courses as well as job ready courses and job pathways. With affordable study options and government subsidies, look no further than Adelaide training industry – HITsa.

Call the HITsa team on 8375 2800 to discuss study options today. Or alternatively, check out their course options here and send an enquiry online.

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The Importance of Infection Control Training

Good hygiene has always been important, however over these past months it has become more apparent than ever. Knowing how to prevent the spread of germs and infection is a vital skill to have. In particular, infection prevention skills are crucial for those working in customer-facing roles. Which include; hospitality, aged care and disability, tourism, transport and logistics and retail.

It may seem as simple as washing your hands with soap and covering your mouth when you cough, however it is more complicated than that. When working in a customer-facing role, it is essential that you know the appropriate skills for infection prevention and control.

So how do you gain the skills to confidently prevent the spread of germs and infections? 

Complete Infection Prevention Training

The best way to gain the appropriate skills to prevent infection is to complete ‘COVID Clean’ Training. This training provides participants with the knowledge and skills to implement infection prevention and control procedures in their workplace. Which is essential for all front-line workers, specifically those who work in hospitality, retail, and aged care. 

As a business, having your staff complete this training will provide your consumers and customers with peace of mind knowing that they are in a COVID safe environment. With health and safety being your businesses top priority.

In addition, completing this training as a front-line worker will help you contribute to providing a safe workplace for yourself and others. 

What will you learn from Infection Control Training?

‘COVID Clean’ Training will provide you with infection prevention skills relevant to the industry that you work in. 

Some of the topics covered in this nationally accredited infection control training are: 

  • Hand hygiene practices
  • Effective surface cleaning 
  • Use of personal protective equipment 
  • Knowledge of the basis of infection and transmission

Who can deliver Infection Control Training?

HITsa offer ‘COVID Clean’ Training to relevant industry’s with customer facing roles. This training is provided for a small co-contribution of $15 per enrolment. 

‘COVID Clean’ Training is available through HITsa for people who work in the following sectors:

  • Aged Care and Disability
  • Retail
  • Hospitality
  • Food Handling
  • Transport and logistics

Furthermore, view the course online for more information and to register your interest.

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How to Become a Successful Disability Carer

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Working as a disability support carer is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. As a disability carer, you are able to make a positive difference in someone’s life and assist them with everyday tasks. As well as help them live their best lives and achieve their goals.

Read more
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Hospitality Jobs in Adelaide

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Adelaide weather is warming up and summer is well and truly on its way.  Along with these longer days and summer sun comes many new seasonal hospitality jobs in Adelaide.

Adelaide hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants are taking plenty of bookings for November and December festivities.  Consequently these businesses are looking for extra staff which can also mean new job opportunities for you.

Naturally, employers tend to prefer experienced staff for hospitality jobs but don’t let this put you off if you’re new to the hospitality game.  There are many other things you can do to impress at interview instead of offering a resume of experience.  Below we suggest a few tips and tricks for anybody without experience and looking to secure a hospitality job.

Getting ready for hospitality jobs

You should be taking action that will allow you to stand out from the crowd even before you land your first interview.

  1. UNDERTAKE SKILLS TRAINING. HITsa Industry Training delivers a number of job-ready training programs for hospitality.  These short courses introduce you to the practical skills needed from Day 1 of your new job – https://www.hitsa.com.au/subsidised-hospitality-job-ready-training-sa/ . Whilst training can’t always replace real life “on the job” experience, you can demonstrate a commitment to your hospitality goal by completing a training course.  Such a course may also be a good way to connect with hospitality businesses as they regularly seek out these students when looking for extra staff for hospitality jobs.
  2. HAVE YOUR RESPONSIBLE SERVICE OF ALCOHOL (RSA) CERTIFICATE. To serve or sell alcohol in South Australia, you must have an RSA certificate from a Nationally Recognised RTO, such as HITsa.  Potential employers will expect you to have an RSA certificate if you are applying for hospitality jobs that involve the service of alcohol.  You can get your RSA certificate through online or class room learning or as part of the job-ready skills training course – https://www.hitsa.com.au/responsible-service-of-alcohol/. Consumer & Business Services can provide you with more details on RSA requirements in South Australia – https://www.cbs.sa.gov.au/licensing-and-registration/liquor/responsible-service-of-alcohol-training-rsa/
  3. COMPLETE A FIRST AID COURSE.  This is another very relevant qualification for hospitality jobs that employers would consider favourably – https://www.hitsa.com.au/provide-first-aid-course
  4. REVIEW YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILE.  Most potential employers will check out your social media profile as part of their recruitment process.  Make sure your Facebook page is a positive reflection of yourself.

Got an interview?  Be ready to impress

An interview is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd so taking the time to prepare is very important.  Your research will not only give you a better understanding of your potential employer, their business and the role you may be offered, it will also help to settle your pre-interview nerves.

  1. BE PREPARED.  You should find out more about the place where you may be working.  If time permits, even go there for a meal or a drink and observe the staff, the décor and the ambience.  Then at interview, be sure to let your interviewer know that you’ve done this extra research.
    It’s especially important to think about the questions you could be asked during your interview and also practice your answers.  As you’re likely to be asked “Do you have any questions for us?”, it’s also a really good idea to have a couple of your own questions on the ready.  If you think you could get nervous and forget them, why not write them down?  You can impress with a thoughtful response rather than asking about pay rates or hours of work.  Perhaps there is a topical issue in the media that is relevant and can demonstrate your wider interest in the hospitality industry.
  2. HAVE A HIGH STANDARD OF PERSONAL PRESENTATION.  As you’ll be interacting with customers and handling their meals and drinks in your new job, good personal grooming and hygiene is essential.  Your interview outfit must be neat, tidy and ironed.  No rips, stains or frays.  If you have  long hair, it’s best to tie it back.

At the Interview

  1. DON’T BE LATE. A practice run in the car or on public transport is a very good idea so you can time how long it will take you to get to your interview location.  On interview day try to arrive 10 minutes early.  If you are running late for any unforeseen reason, give your interviewer a courtesy phone call to let them know.
  2. MAINTAIN POSITIVE BODY LANGUAGE. Be confident!  Walk with purpose, smile and use eye contact.  You want to present as warm, welcoming, positive and in control so don’t cross your arms or slouch in your seat.  There’s to be no swearing and no slang when you speak and it’s best not to use casual words like “dunno, yep or nup”.  Further, don’t interrupt when your interviewer is speaking and give them your full attention.  At completion of the interview, thank your interviewer using their name, and shake their hand.  Remember also that if there is more than one person doing the interview, make sure you acknowledge everybody.
  3. SELL YOURSELF. You may not have the work experience, but consider what other skills or experience you’ve got.  How about the training you’ve just completed?  Are you a passionate foodie? Do you love meeting new people?  Have you volunteered time to a community service whilst looking for a job?  Challenge yourself before interview to answer the question “Why should they give me this job?” and be ready to answer this at interview, with examples to back up your statements wherever possible.

HITsa – here to help to find a job

HITsa provide training and employment solutions to the South Australian hospitality industry.  Our jobs board is regularly updated and a great place for you to track what hospitality jobs are available across Adelaide – https://www.hitsa.com.au/job-board/ .  Please call or email to enquire about upcoming courses or current job vacancies.

 

 

 

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Classroom or Online Learning?

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Technology allows us to share knowledge and experience without limit. You can reach out for knowledge held anywhere in the world.

Through online learning, you can take a course or learn a new skill without ever setting foot into a traditional classroom.  So now its common place to choose from either classroom or online learning options.  Which one will you choose?

Online Learning

Online learning provides some really great benefits for those who can’t access brick and mortar classrooms.  You can connect with learning centres anywhere in the world.  You can also manage your study time around family, work and other time commitments.  As a result, the flexibility offered by online learning may improve your chances of successful completion.  Finally, with less overheads attached to running a program online your study fees may be lower than if the course was delivered in the classroom.

Australia.edu offer several tips you should keep in mind if considering an online learning course –

  1. Look for fully accredited institutions and coursework.  This will allow other schools and businesses to recognise completed coursework.
  2. Ensure that the selected online course can contribute towards any planned further studies so you do not waste time or effort
  3. Check out computer compatibility, software requirements and availability of student support services

http://www.australia.edu/admissions/Online-Education/

Classroom Learning

In contrast, the best method of learning will not always be from an online platform.  By way of example, consider the barista training delivered by HITsa at its Cross Road training centre –  https://www.hitsa.com.au/barista/

Learning to make coffee requires familiarity with a coffee machine, coffee beans, grinder, cups and milk jug.  The best way for you to become familiar with this equipment is to use it.  By comparison, viewing images of this equipment on a computer screen will not give you the same experience.  Further, the assessment of your coffee making skills will require somebody to view and taste your brew and then provide you with feedback.  There’s just simply no way to do this online.

When learning online, a higher level of motivation and self discipline can be needed to manage time distractions.  Compare this to a traditional classroom where time is dedicated to learning.  Whilst you choose whether you will make best use of this opportunity, you’ve given yourself a pretty good chance to focus just by taking your seat.

You can also access more benefits than just simply learning the subject matter if you go somewhere to study that is neither work nor home. In the classroom you can interact with others, share ideas and knowledge.  Face-to-face contact is more effective in addressing communications barriers.

HITsa Learning

HITsa provides a number of theory based courses on line, being Liquor Licensing Laws and Responsible Service of Alcohol.  Students also have the option of classroom delivery for these.

A trainer will deliver most of the HITsa courses in a classroom (including business, leadership, first aid, security, cleaning, gaming and hospitality).  Students have access to  equipment and industry experienced trainers, making their learning more relevant than an online alternative.

HITsa provides an adult learning environment so students are expected to present with a mature approach to personal presentation, interactions and learning.

Participants in our courses benefit from networking with others from a range of backgrounds and experience.

In conclusion, HITsa aims to have students complete their training with new practical skills plus the interpersonal skills and self confidence needed for success in the modern workforce.

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