Workplace Partnerships – Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre’s Pathways to Work
17 Feb 2009

‘My experience at the Centre gave me the courage to really want to be a manager in the hospitality industry.’ Marcie

‘My favourite person in the kitchen was Chef Martin, he always encouraged us to do the best we could’.  Alphi 

‘My name is Nikita, I am in year 10. I am doing my certificate three in Patisserie and my favourite area was the pastry kitchen where I got to experience making so many desserts. One day I hope to have my own coffee shop.’

The state-of-the-art kitchens at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre are at the heart of a unique partnership between Cisco Networkers Event, the Centre and Djarragun College for Indigenous students in Far North Queensland.

As part of the 2008 Cisco Networkers event at the Centre, six students from Djarragun College including, Marcie, Alphi and Nikita joined the Centre’s staff for hands on experience as part of their school based hospitality training.  The students who ranged in ages from 15 – 17 years spent time with the Centre’s Chefs in the kitchens and on the floor as part of the service staff for the 1200 delegates attending the event.

Cisco is a major supporter of Djarragun College, providing funding to support the students in gaining industry experience. “We know it makes a difference to these students academically, with two of the group successfully receiving their Certificate 4 in Hospitality and three of the group gaining Certificate 3 in Hospitality,” said Andrew Erratt, Director of Systems Engineering at Cisco.

Djarragun College’s Head of Hospitality, Peggy Chigeza, who accompanied the students on their work place experience venture said the exercise was extremely beneficial for the participating students. “Just being at the Centre giving these students the experience of working in one of Australia’s largest kitchens is a fantastic opportunity for them,” she said.

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre has a very active commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability. Pathways to work is just one other component. Other activities include Community Service Days, Give as You Earn scheme and community giving and discount programs.

Centre General Manager, Robert O’Keeffe said student industry placement was a key part of the Centre’s CSR Program. “Recruitment and training are fundamental to the Centre’s continued successful operation and having the Djarragun students at the Networkers event delivers a three way win – it’s good for the students, it’s good for our industry and it’s good for the organisations involved,” he said.