PORT DOUGLAS (14 AUGUST 2023) – Ramada Resort by Wyndham Port Douglas is proud to announce an agreement with the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA) to provide traineeship placements to First Nations students seeking a career in hospitality.
The placement gives young people completing certificate qualifications in hospitality and tourism through NITA – part of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – a practical taste of the industry, where Ramada Port Douglas will offer experience in both food and beverage, housekeeping and elsewhere at the resort.
“Hospitality in Port Douglas suffered financially during COVID-19 and then experienced staff shortages afterward, but agreements like these can help to nurture young talent – especially in our First Nations communities – and ensure a continual supply of workers to the industry,” said Hani Daher, General Manager at Ramada Port Douglas.
“Nationwide, hospitality is seen as transient, so it is important we encourage and train people who are intent on making a career in this sector. It offers exciting careers with leadership responsibilities, personal growth, and the opportunity to travel all over the world,” he said.
Both students currently at the resort are enrolled in a 12-month full-time traineeship through NITA and work four shifts at Ramada Port Douglas per week, while also taking part in practical training and theory sessions at the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Ramada Port Douglas to offer our NITA trainees even more on-the-job experience and help them hone their skills in tourism and hospitality”, said Matthew Cameron-Smith, CEO at Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. “The opportunity for trainees to share their time between Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre and Ramada Port Douglas will deliver invaluable experience, helping to set them up for long-term success in the industry.”
NITA offers unique training, working and residential programs at both Ayers Rock Resort and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre and aims to change the lives of Indigenous Australians by providing market leading training programs that empower an Indigenous workforce.
Set amongst Melaleuca rainforest and surrounded by lush gardens and free flowing waterways filled with barramundi, the 193-room Ramada Port Douglas is a mixed-use resort utilised by holiday club members of Club Wyndham South Pacific and resort guests. The resort also offers a pool with river, onsite day spa, a gym and 3Sixteen Bar & Bistro.
Media Enquiries: Angie Christofis
PR and Communications Consultant
M: +61 408 324 774 angie.christofis@wyn.com wyndhamAP.com
Jill Collins @ Barking Owl Communications (on behalf of Voyages Indigenous Tourism)
M: 0417 654 474
ABOUT WYNDHAM DESTINATIONS ASIA PACIFIC
With a wealth of hospitality expertise, Wyndham Destinations is a development partner of choice in Asia Pacific. Its management subsidiaries oversee a collection of almost 70 hotel and resort properties in the region, some of which are mixed-use developments where Wyndham Destinations holds an owning interest. Extending across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Thailand and Indonesia, Wyndham Destinations’ managed portfolio uses the globally renowned Club Wyndham, Wyndham Grand, Wyndham, Wyndham Garden, Ramada by Wyndham and TRYP by Wyndham brands.
ABOUT NITA & VOYAGES INDIGENOUS TOURISM AUSTRALIA
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) established to undertake tourism business on its behalf. Voyages offers unique experiences and cultural immersion in spectacular locations around Australia including Ayers Rock Resort in the Northern Territory and the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in Tropical North Queensland. Voyages works closely with local communities, respecting and supporting Indigenous culture and offering employment, training and business development opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA) is part of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia (Voyages) and operates at both Mossman Gorge and Ayers Rock Resort. NITA aims to change the lives of Indigenous Australians by providing market leading training and employment programs and empowering a growing Indigenous workforce.