Over the past few years there has been a reduction of Food and Hospitality courses being offered at TAFE Sutherland College, Loftus Campus. Hospitality and Patisserie courses have been removed and now currently the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery course is at stake. Stage 4 of the course which involves preparing food for the training restaurant is being removed from Loftus campus. This impacts students who will need to travel a greater distance to an alternative location such as Ultimo, Ryde, Campbelltown or Wollongong.

TAFE provides a skills-based education to students in our local area. The Certificate III in Commercial Cookery course provides training to produce graduates who will have the qualifications to work as chefs. The Sutherland Shire has a range of hospitality venues including pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafés. Without a local educational institution to provide training, venues will struggle to find skilled workers. This impacts the community with reduced dining options.

Now is the time to act before the commencement of term 3, 2025. Please sign the petition to support keeping the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery course at Loftus campus and reinstate the Hospitality and Patisserie courses that have been removed.