Media release
TAFE NSW Armidale | 11 December 2024
TAFE NSW hospitality program sets Armidale migrants up for success
“Studying at TAFE NSW has given me a voice and helped me establish a career in hospitality. With the support of my teacher, I've learnt to cook from recipes, operate a kitchen and follow health and safety requirements, which I now apply to my own business.”
Fadya Alkhalaf
TAFE NSW is helping migrants in Armidale take their English skills to the next level while exploring new career pathways in hospitality, building skills for work and life.
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) has seen 16 students undertake a nine-week Stepping Up Kitchen Operations Program, learning cooking and food preparation skills at TAFE NSW Armidale's specialist training facilities.
The students, from countries including Iraq and The Philippines, have gained practical, job-ready skills, while learning English in a professional setting.
Data released by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure shows that 174,200 oversees migrants moved to New South Wales in 2023. With net migration in the State expected to reach 1.7 million by 2041, it highlights the demand for a program like this in the local community.
TAFE NSW and the Stepping Up Program provide a critical connection point for settlement communities, creating opportunities to build new skills, obtain qualifications, and share settlement experiences and their respective cultures.
For 41-year-old, Fadya Alkhalaf, the program has been life changing. When she arrived in Australia in 2019, Fadya could not speak English. Since studying at TAFE NSW and participating in the Stepping Up Program, Fadya now owns a hospitality business.
"Studying at TAFE NSW has given me a voice and helped me establish a career in hospitality. With the support of my teacher, I've learnt to cook from recipes, operate a kitchen and follow health and safety requirements, which I now apply to my own business," says Fadya.
"Selling traditional Ezidi cuisine to the Armidale community has given me a sense of pride and connection to my culture. For this and the opportunities I now have, I'm very pleased I took part in the program. I look forward to continuing my English language studies next year," adds Fadya.
TAFE NSW AMEP and English Language Teacher, Frances Tafra, says the program uses language as a vehicle to establish critical foundations that set migrant communities up for success.
"When students come to us, they've often experienced personal challenges and can feel isolated in a new country without knowing the language," says Mrs Tafra.
"The Stepping Up Program helps migrants learn essential English skills, practical tools and gain real-world experience that students can apply at home and in the workplace," says Mrs Tafra.
The AMEP is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. Students of the Stepping Up Kitchen Operations Program will graduate on Friday 13th December and achieve a Statement of Attainment in Kitchen Operations.
Media contact: Holly Simpson, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 0498213833.
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