Destination Brisbane Consortium announces strategic partnership with TAFE Queensland

In a landmark announcement for the Queensland hospitality and tourism sectors, the Destination Brisbane Consortium (DBC) has formally announced the first of its proposed strategic partnerships in the establishment of its Queensland Hotel & Hospitality School. The school will focus on building the required capabilities, expertise and reputation for service excellence to deliver Australia’s best Asia-facing hotel and hospitality school.

DBC has joined forces with TAFE Queensland to deliver the new Hotel & Hospitality School and jointly train the next generation of Queensland tourism and hospitality staff. Students will be trained across food & beverage, hotel and entertainment, gaming, security and management programs.

Echo Entertainment Group’s CEO, Matt Bekier (representing DBC) and Jodi Schmidt, CEO of TAFE Queensland, have entered into a partnership supported by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in connection with the Queen’s Wharf proposal.

The announcement builds on the existing relationship between Echo Entertainment Group and TAFE Queensland, which already supports the next generation of chefs through Echo’s Culinary Institute, creating opportunities for training and mentoring through the Chef Apprenticeship program.

With the current redevelopment of the Jupiters Gold Coast property well under way, the partnership will help ensure a world class guest experience which encapsulates the Queensland spirit ahead of its completion in 2017.

Should DBC be successful in its bid for Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, the opportunities will increase significantly, with tourism and hospitality trainees gaining first-hand, industry-leading experience at one of Queen’s Wharf’s five high-end hotels, 50 food and beverage outlets and other entertainment facilities through trainee and apprenticeship programs.

“This commitment provides an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen South-East Queensland’s position as one of Australia’s premier tourism destinations,” Mr Bekier said.

“The Destination Brisbane Consortium is committed to delivering a world-class development in the city and to do that, we need world-class chefs, world-class hotel staff and world-class hospitality staff.”

“Through DBC’s partnership with TAFE Queensland, we’re training that generation of staff and providing the opportunity to gain the sort of experience that is coveted around the world.”

“Our proposed Hotel & Hospitality School will provide first class training for up to 11,000 team members – 3,400 already based at our SE Queensland properties with a further increase of 8,000 with a successful outcome on the Queen’s Wharf bid.”

TAFE Queensland CEO Jodi Schmidt praised the partnership as an unparalleled opportunity for students to gain real world experience and significantly boost job prospects.

“TAFE Queensland is about giving people practical skills to do extraordinary things. Through our partnership with DBC, we’re strengthening our offer and ensuring our students are even better prepared for a career in hospitality.”

“This partnership will deliver a new era in education and, by leveraging DBC’s strong knowledge of the key Asian tourism market, our students will be better prepared to take on a job anywhere in the world.

The Queensland Government is currently considering two competing proposals to redevelop the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct into an integrated resort and entertainment precinct.

More information: 

Naomi Hammond – 0424 861 845