Gawler 15 members Jaimie-Lee Wark (left), Savanna Rowsell, Ashley Tuttle, Taleah Jones, Scott Hore, Kane Milligan, Bradlee Corfield, Jarod McCombe, BonnyAllen, Latisha Dodd and Dion Kain. PHOTO: McKenzie Thompson
GAWLER District College B-12’s Gawler 15 program is successfully creating future job prospects within the hospitality industry for young people aged 16-18.
Facilitated by Scott Hore, the project provides a local ‘hands on’ training option which supports students who may be disengaged from their studies.
Mr Hore said the program has been going for around 15 years.
“As well as supporting disengaged youth, we focus on industry specific skills to hospitality,” he said.
“It was called Gawler 15 because it provides a chance for groups of 15 young people (at school or unemployed) to complete a nationally accredited course in hospitality (kitchen operations).
“The program opens their eyes to the hospitality industry.
“We also focus on resilience, collaboration and problem solving.
“We teach them employability skills that they can use in the workforce.
“We already have a few people who are already working in the hospitality industry.”
Gawler 15 mentor Jaimie Lee Wark said the Gawler 15 is her favourite program.
“I enjoy the personal connection that you share with the students,” she said.
“They learn not only life skills but employability skills.”
Gawler 15 offers certificate one hospitality kitchen operations course, certificate two commercial cookery and certificate three apprenticeships.
“We also offer work placement in the hospitality industry, and students are able to utilize their skills at high end functions,” Mr Hore said.
The Gawler 15 team worked a function at the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide only a few weeks ago, and has served 400 people at Gawler’s Biggest Morning Tea for a number of years.
The group boasts a number of success stories with former year 12 student Sarah Mayer, who was a part of the Gawler 15 team, now working as a secondary food and textile technology teacher, whilst running a successful cake decorating business.
Mr Hore said when the kitchen is not being used for Gawler 15 hospitality courses, staff and students utilize it for activities, such as afternoon tea for children and parents on the popular farm visits.
The Gawler 15 house is closely linked to Gawler and District College, the Murray institute of TAFE, Gawler Council Youth Services, local businesses, SAPOL and job network members.
For more information, contact Scott Hore on 0438 557 878.
