Jerry Schwartz backed Hunter Hospitality College set to open next year in Newcastle

Newcastle could be the go-to destination for a hospitality training college if hotelier Jerry Schwartz has his way.

The college, which is set to open in 2023, would be designed to deal with skills shortages in hospitality and related sectors and would feature courses in courses in hospitality, IT, spa therapy and brewing.

"It will be fantastic to have a locally-based college that can serve all of the hotels in this region," Dr Schwartz, who is a shareholder in the training project, said.

"It will allow me, as an employer, to tap into students during their training but also once they graduate."

That’s good news for students as Dr Schwartz employs around 1200 people across his three Hunter hotels - Hunter Valley Crowne Plaza, Rydges Newcastle and Newcastle Novotel.

The college is now seeking registration and would complement existing training providers such as TAFE.

"What our mandate is to bring people into the hospitality industry and that means, first of all, we've got to convince people that it's a great industry to go into then you have to provide quality training for them," Dr Schwartz said.

"One of the other important things we will be doing is to help people who have trained overseas to get Australian qualifications."

In what is also good news for student, the in-house training brewery would also have a retail component to it.

Business Hunter chief executive Bob Hawes praised the Hunter Hospitality College plan.

"The initiative would be a useful complement to the courses and programs like the new Bachelor of Tourism, Hospitality and Events to be offered through a partnership of TAFE NSW and the University of Newcastle," Hawes said.

"The critical circumstances in the employment market currently demand a multi-dimensional response so employees can get the work they are looking for and employers can access a well trained workforce. This proposal will fit into that matrix nicely.

"We have seen emerging from the national Jobs and Skills summit an intention to broaden the 'fee free' course offer across the TAFE system and whilst this is likely to be a significant drawcard to students, trainees and apprentices, we believe there is room for variety in the providers particularly given the link Mr Schwartz can offer across his portfolio of businesses."

Irit Jackson, 15^th September 2022