Adventurous Certificate III Travel and Diploma of Travel and Tourism students partnered with P&O Cruises Australia last month to hit the high seas sailing from Brisbane to Sydney on a three-day study tour cruise.
In a coup for TAFE Queensland East Coast, the tour was an innovative hands-on training opportunity allowing students to experience firsthand what working on a cruise ship is really like aboard the brand new P&O Aria.
Study Sunshine Coast Student Ambassador and TAFE Queensland East Coast Travel and Tourism student Aileen Moore helped plan the trip with her classmates and said it was a learning experience she will never forget.
“I always love it when we get the chance to get out of the classroom and put theory into practice to further our skills,” Miss Moore said.
“It’s unique learning activities like this that help me and my fellow classmates to take those all important steps towards securing our dream careers.”
Miss Moore also explained how travel and tourism is a competitive global industry and the Sunshine Coast can provide local students with high quality study options and achievable career pathways that can take them anywhere in the world.
“The Sunshine Coast is perfectly located and has world-class travel and tourism links, such as P&O Cruises Australia, to help me get the real world experience I need to get me closer to my dream job,” Miss Moore said.
TAFE Queensland East Coast Travel and Tourism teachers Margaret Dickson and Gordana Russell guided and supported the students to plan and organise the study tour which included return flights from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast on the recently added Qantas service.
“It was a great couple of days. The students were able to experience many of the facilities and activities along with the amazing dining and entrainment on board,” Ms Russell said.
“The tour was an invaluable training experience to consolidate what students have been learning in class.”
Ms Russell also went on to describe the types of activities and knowledge presented to the students whilst on board the ship.
“Students were shown the latest travel products and services, destinations, booking processes, how to build relationships and the importance of working as a team,” Ms Russell said.
“We are very excited to offer our students this amazing opportunity while studying Travel and Tourism here at TAFE Queensland East Coast.”
TAFE Queensland East Coast is the leading training provider for travel and tourism in the region and offers various courses for both domestic and international students.
For more information about the travel and tourism courses offered at TAFE Queensland East Coast visit tafeeastcoast.com.au or call 1300 656 188.
TAFE Queensland East Coast are proud partners of Study Sunshine Coast and together are committed to enhancing and promoting the Sunshine Coast as a premiere study destination.
Study Sunshine Coast features a comprehensive website portal and integrated social media strategy to engage and inform students about the education and career offerings available to them across the Sunshine Coast. Students are also encouraged to help promote the campaign by using the hashtag #StudySunshineCoast in their social media posts about studying and living on the Coast.