By studying a Certificate III and IV in Hospitality at TAFE NSW Dubbo, Amy was able to gain the practical skills needed to land her dream job as a café supervisor at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

“I grew up helping my parents serve meals in our family’s motel restaurant and always received great feedback from customers which inspired me to pursue a career in the hospitality industry,” Ms Stevens said.

“My TAFE NSW courses taught me how to be a barista and gain extra skills like rostering, stock taking, ordering and also becoming a team leader which I use every day in my job at the zoo.

“I just love animals and being able to make great coffee and serve my lovely customers all while having a beautiful view of the spider monkeys from the café, I couldn’t ask for more.”

Taronga Western Plains Zoo chef Ronnie Campbell said Amy had become a huge asset to the organisation.

“Amy is able to juggle the many competing demands of food and beverage service with ease and understands how to deliver fantastic customer service, even during extremely busy periods,” she said.

Dubbo Head Teacher for Tourism and Hospitality Sue Greer said Amy was a dedicated and conscientious student.

“Amy strives to do the best job possible in all her tasks and was a pleasure to have in class, it is no surprise that she is doing so well in the industry,” Ms Greer said.

“I’m so pleased TAFE NSW were able to provide Amy with the skills and experience she needed to be job ready in an industry that she is so passionate about.”

Enrolments are now open for a number of exciting Hospitality courses for semester two at TAFE NSW. For information on more than 1,200 courses visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.