Careers
Bruce Topham - Careers and VET Coordinator
Important Future Events
JMC Academy | May Open Day, Melbourne
May 27, 2023
Register for our Free Open Day! This is your chance to see our multi-million dollar world-class facilities.
Things to do at Open Day:
- Tour our world-class facilities and tech
- Explore your creative future in our hands-on workshops
- Meet our current students and industry expert lecturers
- Check out live student performances
- See creativity come to life with course demonstrations
- Build your creative network
The Hotel School | Melbourne Open Campus
June 3, 2023
Do you want to explore our CBD campus and see what The Hotel School has to offer?
Attend a Masterclass delivered by our Academics to experience life as a student at The Hotel School. Explore your dream career and connect with passionate industry experts!
Join us for an exciting Open Campus experience on Saturday, 3 June 2023.
- Meet faculty team members and the Head of Campus
- Discuss career opportunities with the Work Integrated Learning team
- Find out about our courses and the application process in detail
- Chat with our current student ambassadors
- Enjoy Barista coffee and light refreshments
Deakin | Forensic Detective Program
June 5 to June 9, 2023
Year 9 and 10 students participate in an interactive 3-hour workshop in our science laboratories, giving students the chance to work in a real-life setting. Activities completed by students are related to entomology, fingerprinting, pollen, hair and fibre analysis, as well as chemistry, blood and DNA analysis. Includes a visit to our Crime Scene House facility.
June 5, 2023
Futures Day is a fun and interactive way to explore your post Year 12 study options.
Join us to hear from expert academics and teachers in a range of study areas. Pick the discipline sessions that spark your interest and build your own Futures Day to explore study and pathway options available to you.
During recess, grab a free bite to eat and roam our expo area to speak to academics and industry partners.
There will be an overview session from both La Trobe University and SuniTAFE including space to ask questions to a student panel.
Finish the day with some live music and food from our food truck festival.
Enter the World of Le Cordon Bleu – Career Residential, Melbourne
June 28 to June 30, 2023
We’re opening our doors to high school students in Years 11 & 12, to experience a ‘day in the life’ at one of the world’s leading culinary and hospitality institutions to provide a taste of what a future career in global hospitality will be like.
Meet lecturers and Le Cordon Bleu professionals, hear from industry experts, discover what Le Cordon Bleu hospitality management degree programmes involve and experience hands-on culinary arts with our chefs.
RMIT | Tech & Trades Experience Day 2023
June 29, 2023
Come and be a part of RMIT’s Tech and Trades Experience Day, an exciting event that lets you delve into the dynamic world of Technology and Trades!
Don’t miss out on this exclusive chance to gain practical knowledge, explore potential career paths, and network with industry professionals. Join us at RMIT’s Tech and Trades Experience Day and get a glimpse of what your future could hold!
We welcome all year 10, 11 and 12 high school students as well as parents/guardians. Students can participate in two hands-on workshops, tour facilities, interact with staff and students, and win prizes. Parents can connect with staff, students, and industry guests to learn about opportunities at RMIT.
Students will have the chance to choose two workshops from fields such as Building Design, Carpentry, Cyber Security, Electrical, Engineering, Refrigeration, Information Technology, Plumbing, and Surveying. These fields offer strong industry growth and promising future career prospects.
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Hairdressing Apprenticeship Spotlight
Do you love helping people look and feel their best, and want a job that will keep you active and on top of the latest fashion trends? You might like to consider becoming a hairdresser – and one of the best ways to start your career in this field is through a hairdressing apprenticeship.
What is a career in hairdressing?
As a hairdresser, you’ll cut, colour, and style hair of all different kinds. You’ll work with clients of all ages, from small children to adults, who all want different looks. In a day you might go from simply giving a trim on one person, to dying someone else’s hair a completely different colour. Some clients may also come to you for advice on styling and hair care tips and techniques.
As you gain lots of experience, you might like to consider one day opening your own salon and training the next generation of apprentices.
What skills do I need for a career in hairdressing?
You’ll need to be able to work on your feet and love being social, as the job will involve lots of face-to-face contact with clients. You will also need to be patient and respectful. Having a love for learning is great, as you’ll be learning new techniques, styles, and trends throughout your career.
Why should I consider a hairdressing apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are a great way to get your foot in the door with an employer and start building valuable skills. There are often lots of opportunities to continue working with your employer after your apprenticeship is complete, and even advance your career down the track.
As part of a hairdressing apprenticeship, you will be doing real work for an employer while completing study with a TAFE or RTO. A hairdressing apprenticeship usually takes 3-4 years to complete, depending on whether you work and study full- or part-time.
Here are some common qualifications you might want to look into:
There are tons of benefits to an apprenticeship, rather than just work or study alone, including:
- Getting paid while you learn – unlike uni, you can work and study without having to take on an insane work load.
- The opportunity to get hands-on experience, not just endless reading.
- The potential to connect with an employer and continue working with them after your traineeship is finished.
- Your qualification will be nationally recognised, meaning you can go anywhere with it.
Where can I find apprenticeship opportunities?
Just like searching for a job, there are lots of places you can go to find a traineeship. You can start your search on sites like SEEK and Indeed. Take a look on social media like Facebook or LinkedIn to see if any local businesses are hiring. Sign up with an Apprenticeship Network Provider or Group Training Organisation, or even go old fashioned and take a look in the local paper or give local businesses a call.
Here are some examples of the kinds of opportunities available:
- 1st and 2nd Year Apprentice Hairdressers, Fremantle WA
- 1st Year Hairdressing Apprenticeship, Central Coast NSW
- Hairdressing Apprentice – 1st & 2nd year, Canberra ACT
- First Year Hairdressing Apprentice, Brisbane QLD
- 1st & 2nd Year Hairdressing Apprentices, Sydney NSW
Competitions
JMC Songwriting Competition 2023
JMC Academy is proud to announce the 2023 songwriting competition for students across New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and Queensland in years 9-12. The aim of the competition is to highlight the talent of high-school songwriters from across the country and to showcase the creativity of young people.
The demo can simply be recorded on your phone (we just want to hear the song performed!) and only include the vocals however instrumental accompaniment is encouraged. You’re welcome to record the demo in other ways too if you have the means.
So what do you need to submit?
- Demo of your original song in MP3 format (maximum 5 minutes in length)
- Lyrics sheet
- Completed application form
That’s it!
Applications must be submitted by Sunday 27th August 2023 11:59pm AEST.
Find out more: https://www.jmcacademy.edu.au/songwriting-comp/
Resources
National Careers Week is back in 2023, running from 15 – 21 May. This year, the theme is “Career. It’s more than just a job”.
Check out the events running around the country, on-demand webinars to watch at any time, as well as all the resources on offer. They also have a handy guide packed full of activity ideas to raise career awareness for students from years K-12.
We’ve also created a set of slides and our brand new Career Conversation cards, designed to help you start engaging conversations with students all about careers. Keep an eye out for how you can win a free pack of printed cards for your school soon.
Find out more at the National Careers Week website.
Workplace Spotlight
What is it Like to Work in a Hotel?
Hotels are places where people on trips and holidays can stay for short or extended periods of time. There are hotels across the world to suit different budgets and needs, and they need a large suite of staff to ensure they run effectively and provide a great service.
Here are some common things you can expect to find at hotels:
- Lots of flexibility – hotels are open 24/7, so you can expect to work a variety of shifts, and flexibility with your work schedule is a must.
- Customer service is important – making sure guests have a pleasant and enjoyable stay is one of the key considerations of any worker at a hotel.
- They’re always busy – hotels are busy places and there is always a lot going on at once, so being adaptable and organised is key.
Key Outcome
Provide a place for people to stay
The key outcome for a hotel is to provide guests with a positive and memorable experience during their stay, encouraging them to return in the future and recommend the hotel to others. This involves providing excellent customer service, comfortable accommodations, quality amenities, and a safe and secure environment.
Key Tasks
- Check guests in and out
- Clean and maintain rooms
- Keep premises safe and secure
- Provide leisure facilities and services
- Manage budgets and staffing
- Handle guest inquiries and complaints
Industry
You can find hotels in the accommodation and food services industry
Hotels are generally found in the accommodation and food services industry. There are lots of different types of hotels for all kinds of travellers, including luxury hotels, resorts, boutique hotels, budget hotels, and extended-stay hotels.
Work Environment
You can expect shift work and on-site work
Shift work | Work on-site | Jobs in metro, regional, and rural areas | Strong job growth
Hotels need to operate 24/7 and always need staff on-hand. Because of this, shift work is common, and some workers might find themselves working overnight. They also operate over all holidays, so you will be expected to work then too. Work can also fluctuate during different seasons and during holidays, with certain times of the year being much busier than others.
A lot of the work in hotels needs to be done in-person, so opportunities to work from home are limited. But some roles (particularly in management and administration) may be able to be done remotely.
You’ll find hotels in almost any location around the world, particularly in destinations popular with tourists, so there’s generally always work to go around.
The Career Clusters you’ll find in a hotel
People from all Clusters are needed for a hotel to run effectively, but the most common Clusters you’ll find are Linkers, Makers, and Coordinators. As in any role, you might find yourself performing tasks across multiple Clusters.
What do Makers do in a hotel?
The Makers are responsible for keeping hotel rooms clean and tidy, both doing minor cleaning while people are staying in a room and deep cleaning before the next person comes to stay. They will also clean and provide linen (bedsheets, towels, etc.). Hotels also need people to ensure fittings in rooms are working properly and maintain the property and gardens. Some hotels might have a restaurant attached or offer room service and need people to make the food.
- Cleaners/Housekeepers
- Maintenance Workers
- Chefs/Cooks
The role of a Linker in a hotel
Linkers in hotels are responsible for taking bookings and answering questions from guests. They will also assist guests with checking in and out of the hotel at the beginning and end of their stay, and provide guests with information on the local area and tours. Other Linkers will help promote the hotel via television, radio, or social media. Some hotels have people to help organise and run events happening at the hotel (such as weddings and conferences).
- Receptionists/Concierges
- Event Planners
- Marketing Managers
Where you’ll find Coordinators in a hotel
Coordinators are responsible for a lot of the behind the scenes work at a hotel. This can include things like managing budgets and finances, supervising other workers and day-to-day operations, managing bookings and reservations, and ensuring the hotel meets any required standards or regulations.
- Hotel Managers
- Operations Managers
- Finance Managers
How do Informers work in a hotel?
Informers in hotels are responsible for training hotel staff on various topics, such as guest services, safety protocols, and housekeeping procedures. Some Informers may even come from external agencies to provide expert advice to hotel management, such as providing recommendations for improving guest satisfaction, developing new service offerings, or improving operational efficiency.
- Staff Trainers
- Consultants
What types of Innovators work in a hotel?
Most Innovators don’t work in the hotel itself but are contracted from external companies. Some Innovators might work on the construction, design and layout of the building and facilities. Other Innovators will pick out appropriate furnishings and fittings for individual rooms or create logos and branding elements for the hotel.
- Engineers/Architects
- Interior Designers
- Graphic Designer
Where you’ll find Guardians in a hotel
Guardians are needed in hotels to keep the building safe and secure, particularly as guests will often leave valuable items in their rooms. Guardians also help to ensure the complies with any relevant health and safety regulations. If the hotel has a spa, they may also need people to perform therapies and services for guests.
- Security Officers
- Health & Safety Officers
- Massage Therapists
How do we expect working in a hotel to change in the future?
A major trend that is already emerging in the hotel industry is the increased use of technology. With advancements in AI and automation, hotels are looking to streamline their operations and reduce their reliance on human labour. We can expect to see more hotels using self-check-in kiosks, robot concierges, and other automated systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Another trend is the focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Hotels are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment and are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. This might involve implementing green initiatives such as using renewable energy, reducing water usage, and incorporating sustainable materials in hotel design and construction.
As travel continues to become more accessible and affordable, hotels will need to adapt to the changing needs of their guests. This might involve offering more personalised experiences, catering to specific demographics, or providing more facilities and services to differentiate themselves from competitors.
Overall, the hotel industry is likely to continue evolving as new technologies and trends emerge. However, one thing that will remain constant is the need for excellent customer service and hospitality, which will always be at the heart of the hotel experience.