Facebook helps with NSW First training modules

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Destination NSW has partnered with social media giant Facebook and Restaurant & Catering Australia to offer free development and training programs for people working in the visitor economy.

The NSW First training will be available to any individual or business looking to improve their social media and customer service skills, with registration to participate opening in mid-August.

In a statement issued on Friday, Stuart Ayers, the minister for jobs, investment, tourism and Western Sydney, said the industry development program would help to address the state’s ‘skills shortage’. It would also equip business operators with social media capabilities in a ‘crowded digital marketplace’, he added. 

“Using social media to engage and inspire potential customers through rich storytelling has never been a more important part of a businesses’ marketing and promotional mix,” Ayers said. 

“The NSW government is committed to supporting business owners and workers to develop the skills they need to be successful and to help grow the visitor economy.”

Under the development program, participants can access five Destination NSW webinars about how the Facebook and Instagram platforms can help optimise the online presence of business. The sessions will canvass audience engagement, developing Instagram ‘stories’ and how to use a smartphone to develop social media content.

Destination NSW is also offering tourism and hospitality workers 1,400 micro credentials across three modules.

“[The] industry development program, NSW First, is tailored to the unique needs of businesses engaged in the visitor economy through leveraging industry insights and partnerships for the benefit of operators,” Ayres said.

Restaurant & Catering Australia CEO Wes Lambert said the training partnership would help the broader hospitality sector in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

“For so many businesses, being able to find the staff they need will be the difference between survival and closure,” Lambert said.

“These free NSW First initiatives will provide business owners with practical support that is relevant to their industry, so they are ready to ramp up again when travel restrictions are lifted,” Ayres added.