AME Systems (Vic) is taking the opportunity to build on its strong relationship with community by inviting the new Ararat College VET Hospitality Department to join the Ararat Lions Club’s involvement in their bi monthly Best Practice luncheons for the 300 plus staff.
Best Practice was instigated some-time ago and is an inclusive means of communication with all staff in a relaxed atmosphere over lunch to update on aspects of the business including sales, purchasing, manufacturing, quality and OH&S. The forum is interactive and has proven to be beneficial with staff being able to present and also ask questions on day to day activities. The Social Club also is involved to promote engaging staff in activities both at work and outside work.
The Ararat Lions Club have been a long time community partner of AME Systems (Vic) and have been on hand bi monthly to provide their popular barbecues and always a welcoming presence at the plant. With the recommencement of hospitality studies after some years at Ararat College an approach was made to the college extending an invitation for the students to assist with the Best Practice lunches which would help them gain valued hands on experience. This was enthusiastically accepted by Principal Geoff Sawyer and Hospitality Coordinator Prue Shalders.
AME Systems (Vic) General Manager Dean Pinniger said: “Over the years we have worked closely with the secondary colleges in Ararat supporting a number of projects and teaming up with the new hospitality department at Ararat College will not only be of assistance to catering for our bi monthly staff get togethers but will also provide invaluable experience out in the public with presenting lunch to a very large group in a short space of time as we allow an hour for the lunch and the presentations. Also working closely with the Lions Club members adds another scope of us all working together as a community group.”
Best Practice has traditionally been the regular barbecue however with the additional helpers on hand the April luncheon took on a ‘Multi Cultural Theme’ which was embraced by everyone involved, including quite a number of the staff who come from an international background, are now based in the area and work at AME Systems.
Ararat College Principal Geoff Sawyer in commenting on the colleges involvement with AME Systems (Vic) said: “The Ararat College at the moment boasts students enrolled in two classes of up to 18/19 in the VET Hospitality and Catering Course and considering this is the first time for some years it is a fantastic result. Students are mainly from Ararat and Marian Colleges with a few from Stawell. With college being successful in gaining funding of in excess of $1.5 million to build a hospitality facility by early 2014 at the campus it is expected that between 55 and 70 students will be involved annually.
The new state of the art facility will be a regional centre of excellence for the training of young people in the hospitality area and will be a great asset to region and will equip them very well for future full time and part time work. The opportunity made possible by AME Systems (Vic) to assist with providing workplace experience outside the classroom will also assist in the students gaining skills and confidence in being out in the public eye. It is a great way for the Ararat College to promote what they have to offer the community now and into the future. We are excited about all aspects of the hospitality and catering development and at the same time acknowledge AME Systems (Vic) for supporting what we are undertaking at the college.”
