Hospitality teachers are carving up the kitchen under tuition from qualified chefs to pass on industry skills to their students.

The teachers are enrolling in certificate programs to meet the growing student demand for Vocational Education and Training courses. Their goal is to prepare their students to gain qualifications, explore industries and be work-ready while still at school.

The VET Hospitality Teacher Training Program at the Alexandria campus of William Angliss College offers one of these unique training experiences. The program is a mix of online and face-to-face industry training that leads to qualifications in catering and hospitality and keeps the teachers up to date with the latest industry skills, technologies and trends.

Technical and Applied Studies teachers Casey Wrightson, from Lake Macquarie High School, and Abbey Robinson, from Ballina Coast High School, are midway through their training journey. Both are experienced VET teachers who are enjoying being upskilled by hospitality professionals from commercial kitchens and restaurants.

“Being able to come and be in the kitchen ourselves and learn the skills from a qualified chef is extremely valuable,” Casey said.

Casey and Abbey have enrolled in the training to meet the growing demand for hospitality education in their regions.

“It's really popular in Ballina,” Abbey said.

They attribute the popularity of VET courses like Hospitality to the career pathways for students, who undertake work placement in local businesses to gain their qualifications, which often leads to job offers.

Students can attain a Certificate II in Hospitality and the Hospitality HSC course also contributes to an ATAR rank.

Casey said teachers encouraged students to embrace the opportunities offered by VET courses such as Hospitality.

“Hospitality, once you're trained in it, there is always a need for you, and it will take you anywhere around the world. There's hotels and restaurants everywhere,” Casey said.

• Teacher training programs for secondary school VET teachers are offered in a variety of subjects.