In Newcastle, we’re lucky to have such a vibrant and developing hospitality industry. It’s not only thanks to the locals and visitors who love to get amongst the city’s bars, restaurants, and pubs, but also thanks to all the bartenders, waitstaff, and behind-the-scenes whizzes who keep these venues thriving.

Nudge On, a for-purpose local organisation, is about to launch a program aimed at getting young jobseekers into these roles in the Newcastle hospitality and tourism industry. So, if you’re a jobseeker or a local hospitality business, this is for you!

The new program is called Roam, and it’s a non-traditional, immersive, and hands-on way to get stuck into the industry (with no classrooms to be found) – whether it’s mixology and cocktail creation, back-of-house operations, or being a room attendant in a five-star hotel.

Roam is named for the way participants can roam between venues for each week of the six-week course, experiencing an array of career opportunities.

“Roam came from a need to make the invisible visible with what hospitality, accommodation, and after-dark roles Newcastle offers up, particularly post-Covid,” said Tricia Martin, Nudge On’s founder and director.

“We’re really focusing on the stereotype that your career isn’t just front-of-house lobby or at the bar – there’s heaps of progression in these industries that isn’t normally showcased, or young people especially don’t know about.”

Each week, Roam participants will dive into a different venue, exploring specific roles and career paths. One week, participants might be shaking cocktails, and the next, doing a scavenger hunt-style workshop, providing a chance to decide if a particular company, culture, or role is right for them.

Nudge On is excited to announce partnerships with prominent local businesses like Crystalbrook Kingsley, Bar Mellow, and The Rogue Scholar. However, to maximise the program’s reach, Nudge On is calling for more hospitality and accommodation providers to join Roam.

Why participate as a business? Well, aside from playing a part in shaping the next generation of industry professionals, you’ll also get to become familiar with potential new employees in a real-world setting.

“It allows employers a bit of a ‘trial before a trial’, so they can get to know people’s personalities, which you can’t really get in a short period of time or in a resume.”

And, since each week of the program focuses on a different role within the industry, participating businesses aren’t competing for talent – rather, you’re collaborating to make the sector a great place for future professionals.

Another handy bonus? Not only is the program free for jobseekers, but it’s free for local businesses to get involved, thanks to funding by the Local Jobs Workforce Australia Program. Kempsey Litten, the Hunter Employment Facilitator, is keen to connect businesses with potential future employees.

“The Roam program demonstrates and promotes the various career options the sector has to offer, through fun, hands on, interactive training across a range of areas. It's suited for people who may have never considered the sector before, or those who have worked in Hospitality for a long time but want to learn more,” she said.

Plus, Nudge On will work with hospo teams to make sure participation is easy (read: paperwork-free!) with plenty of support, from sourcing and selecting participants based on their criteria, to engaging talent and transitioning them into roles in a way that aligns with their hiring processes. 

Roam’s first six-week course begins on August 6, 2024, so if you’re a restaurant, pub, bar, accommodation provider, or other relevant business in the visitor economy there’s still time to get involved.

To join Roam and help prepare young jobseekers for a thriving career in hospitality and tourism, contact Nudge On today.