An NT ‘Tourism in Schools’ Program – students know little of opportunities

“Tourism jobs can be fun, social and exciting – and who better to do these jobs than friendly, laid back Territorians?” asked Chief Minister Clare Martin recently as she launched a $57,000 ‘Tourism in Schools Program’ to run till September 2006, supporting existing tourism and career development classes.

Even though integrating tourism studies into school curricula has been recommended by the industry since the late 1990s, a Charles Darwin Uni survey has shown that senior school students in the Territory – and elsewhere in Australia? – know little about tourism and hospitality training and employment opportunities.

www.nttourismcareers.com will be a website resource for teachers, students and parents featuring case studies, a work experience placement register and education and training links. As a start twenty four schools have been approached, including Aboriginal communities offering senior secondary studies – Yirara College, Central Australia has agreed as have seventeen schools from Darwin, Palmerston, Alice Springs, Tenant Creek.