Opening doors to real life experience in the industry
Program Overview
The Coffee Shop Program equips students with the knowledge and skills to seek employment in a diverse range of occupations in the hospitality industry, working in our on-site training restaurant and industrial kitchen with paying customers. This work experience program is conducted at Swipers Gully Training Centre at ELTHAM College.
The Program Focus and Facilities
The Coffee Shop Program creates opportunities for young students to gain real-world-ready work experience. We demonstrate the link between working life and education through the skills they have learned in their schooling. From the Coffee Shop work experience in Years 8 and 9 to the VCE VET courses in Years 10, 11, and 12, students are prepared for a diverse range of occupations in restaurant and café settings. This is all made possible with the Swipers Gully Training Centre, a fully operating and licensed restaurant and café that is open to the public during school terms.
Key Information
The Skills
The program includes commercial cookery, catering, and food and beverage service.
The Environment
Training room, commercial kitchen, fully licensed restaurant, coffee shop, three dining areas and balcony dining area. Swipers Gully Training Restaurant serves the boutique Swipers Wine.
The Opportunity
A VCE VET Hospitality student may undertake a pathway to an apprenticeship as part of their program - these are nationally accredited.
The Experience
Students gain experience in a range of areas, including but not limited to: customer service, using new technologies (coffee machine, point of sale, electronic appliances), taking orders, processing payments, workplace safety, preparing dishes, front-of-house service, good hygiene practices and serving food and beverages.
Hospitality students also develop their interpersonal skills and gain self-confidence by working in a team and following instructions, being respectful and kind to others, the importance of having a positive attitude and having some fun while doing it.
Getting a Head Start in Hospitality
College Coffee Shop
Students in Years 8 and 9 are rostered to operate the College Coffee Shop within the restaurant, with particular focus on Year 9 students exploring employment and work experience opportunities. This helps to make a connection between learning and the workplace and supports our students in finding part-time work.
Restaurant Training
Students from Years 10, 11 and 12 work at Swipers Gully Training Restaurant as part of their VET Hospitality course. Working in an industrial kitchen and fully operational restaurant allows them to attain their qualifications and acquire real-world workplace and life skills, preparing them to excel in their pathway to the industry. ELTHAM College has proudly received the VCE VET Student of the Year State Premier’s Award 14 times since we began offering the program in 2002.
Industry Connections
Each year, Swipers Gully Restaurant hosts an annual Guest Chef event featuring Stephen Mercer, the acclaimed chef of the locally renowned Mercers Restaurant, established in 1997. This event provides our students with the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with Stephen, both in the kitchen and front-of-house, as they deliver an exquisite five-course fine dining experience, perfectly paired with Swipers Gully wines.
Explore ELTHAM Through Real Stories
At ELTHAM College, every student’s journey is unique. Hear directly from our students and program coordinators as they share their experiences in the program.
Inside the Hospitality Program
Gain the perspectives of ELTHAM College Year 8 students Eric and Grace, who are both getting a head start on their resumes through the College Coffee Shop. Michelle from the Swipers Gully Hospitality Training Centre explains how the program builds confidence, and Grace’s mother, Esther, shares her positive experiences on the school’s community feel.
"The students in Coffee Shop learn to make beverages, serve customers, process payments and understand food workplace safety. They also develop their interpersonal skills, self-confidence, teamwork, and see the importance of a positive attitude and having fun while doing it."
Michelle Smythe, Program Coordinator
ELTHAM College takes them everywhere.
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