Hostec International is calling on the federal government to include hospitality in the new Skilled Occupations List (SOL), which will be available by 30 April 2010, replacing the Critical Skills List (CSL).
Speaking to ABC News, Hostec International’s Raman Nabian claimed that there is a shortage of about 1000 chefs per month all over Australia. If the skill is not included in the new list, Nabian fears that the shortage will worsen, as there are not enough Australians interested in a career in hospitality to fill all the vacancies.
"Even with the recent interest in shows like Masterchef, it just hasn't attracted Australians to that profession,” commented Nabian, adding that “the number of young school leavers that go into cookery as a profession is dropping."
