Whether your dream is to own a luxury resort in the Mediterranean or manage a small retreat in Byron Bay, the time has never been better to start pursuing a career in the hospitality industry, says the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, 12.2% of employment in Australia was generated by the Travel and Tourism Industry in 2014, which is a total of 1.4 million jobs. By 2016, it is estimated that it will have created over 346 million jobs and generated over USD$550 billion globally.
“The hospitality industry is booming both in Australia and internationally, and is a smart move for anyone wanting to invest in a successful and prosperous future,” said Simon Pawson, Deputy Head of Academic at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS).
“A lot of international students are lining up to hold a degree in hotel management, but many local students are yet to discover the benefits of entering into such a thriving industry.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 14.2 per cent of 15-24-year-olds are looking for work, a figure that is at its highest peak since 1998. In April this year, the youth unemployment rate was sitting at 13.56%, a figure that has been steadily increasing since its lowest point in 2008.
With more and more Australian students struggling to find entry level jobs in their chosen fields, job security is a top priority when choosing tertiary education. The number one hotel management school in the Asia-Pacific region, the BMIHMS boasts success rates that are the envy of the region, with their 2014 graduates each receiving 2.4 job offers for every placement they undertook whilst studying at the school.
Findings from the Graduate Careers Australia (GCA) 2014 Graduate Survey showed that only 68% of graduates in Australia have secured full time employment within 4 months of graduating. That compares with 95% of BMIHMS graduates, who secured full time employment within just three months of graduating.
“A lot of people don’t recognise the huge practical benefit of having studied in the field. The hospitality industry is skyrocketing, so it is important you have the right education on your CV to get noticed. Ultimately, we believe that opportunities don’t just happen, you create them, and that’s why we are committed to teaching students the skills they need to stand above the pack,” said Pawson.
Hospitality student Lana Rigby discovered that her passion lay in the hospitality industry whilst travelling after high school. “I grew to love people, and I wanted a career which would give me to work anywhere in the world,” said Rigby. “It was the practical experience offered by BMIHMS that ultimately drew me to study in the industry. They understand the skills that are needed to stand out and to succeed in the industry”. Rigby is currently on placement at Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara.
Wine mogul James Robson graduated from BMIHMS in 1993, and is best known for his work with the critically revered and family run Ross Hill Vineyard in Orange. “I’ve run hotels all around the Asia Pacific, which is something I never imagined I would have achieved when I began the course. This experience has created an invaluable foundation in helping me continue building my family business.”
Robson’s vineyard boasts a 5 star rating by leading Australian wine critic James Haliday and two gold medals for its crisp Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. Ross Hill Vineyard was also awarded an astounding 94 points for its Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay by the Australian Wine Companion in 2013.
A degree in hotel management can also provide opportunities both locally and internationally, a drawcard that is well sought after by today’s students.
With a successful international career under her belt, Sonya Brown, is the perfect example of the far reaching applicability of a hotel management degree. “A career in hospitality is too good an opportunity to miss,” says Brown, who is currently working as the Group Director of Human Resources for the prestigious Minor Hotel Group, Thailand. “My degree from BMIHMS has opened doors all around the world, and has lead me to one of the top roles for those in my profession.”
The School is hoping to encourage more young Australians to follow in the footsteps of James and Sonya in pursuing a career in hospitality, events and hotel management.
“The vast majority of our students are coming from all over the world to study with us. We would love to see more Aussies leading the way in the hospitality industry on a global platform,” said Pawson.