Building real skills for real jobs in hospitality.

There’s no better way to learn than by doing—and that’s exactly what our Albury Wodonga DES participants experienced through our five-week Hospitality Essentials training course.

Held at Sodens Hotel in Albury, the course gave 10 participants practical, hands-on experience in a real hospitality setting. Over five weekly sessions, they learned a broad range of fundamental skills, including:

• Pouring  their first beer and making a perfect lemon, lime, and bitters
• Balancing multiple plates with confidence
• Taking customer orders
• Serving and clearing tables
• Practicing customer service through realistic role plays
• Handling tricky customer situations with professionalism

From day one, the group supported each other, shared feedback, and worked together to create a positive and encouraging learning environment. Their teamwork and willingness to try new things helped everyone grow.

Our successful “Hospitality Essentials” participants.

Evan, the Venue Manager at Sodens Hotel, also joined a session to offer insider advice on getting started in hospitality. He shared helpful tips on job applications, interviews, and how to present professionally—plus answered all their questions in an engaging Q&A.

Jacob, our Disability Employment Consultant, reflected on the impact of the training:

“Having delivered numerous hospitality courses, this has undoubtedly been the most rewarding experience of my career.

The group challenged each other—and myself—to grow, and I personally gained valuable insights that I will carry forward.”

By the end of the course, participants walked away with new skills, greater confidence, and a clearer path into the hospitality industry.