As local school leavers consider their career options for 2019, InfoFest will showcase the many job pathways offered by TAFE NSW, with staff on hand to assist with enrolments, career advice and campus tours.

It comes as a recent study by TAFE NSW, which included the Bega Valley and Far South Coast regions, forecast jobs growth in the tourism and experience as well as the hospitality sectors over the next two years.

TAFE NSW regional general manager Kerry Penton said the Jobs of the Future report predicted growth in employment opportunities in restaurant and café businesses as tourism continued to grow.

“The Eden Wharf upgrade will support growth in the cruise ship and whale-watching tourism industries. The region will act as a gateway to eco, food and wine tourism,” Ms Penton said.

“The forecast growth in travel and tourism on the South Coast is expected to result in increased demand for accommodation and hospitality services.

“TAFE NSW offers a range of qualifcations across industry growth areas including Commercial Cookery, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, Event Management, Leadership and Management – just to name a few.

“To provide those services effectively, we need highly qualified professionals and TAFE NSW is ideally positioned to train the workforce of tomorrow.

“With more than 1200 face-to-face and online courses available for 2019, and with current and future job prospects for the Bega Valley and Far South Coast looking bright, I encourage the community to visit TAFE NSW to find out how you can upskill or reskill to pursue employment opportunities.”

TAFE NSW currently provides courses for nine out of the 10 professions expected to have the greatest jobs growth over the next five years.

Members of the local community can explore course and career options by attending InfoFest sessions at TAFE NSW Bega between January 21-25 or attend online information sessions at www.tafensw.edu.au.​