“Life changing” hospitality program receives $200,000 funding boost
Gael Godou was “suffering” after losing his stepfather, but soon found his feet thanks to the Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve Hospitality program. Read his story.
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Gael Godou had been caring for his stepfather on and off for eight years before he passed away from dementia.
Mr Godou tried to go back to work as a chef, but encountered difficulties.
“I was a bit lost, I was suffering at Black Dog, turning 50, and had no teeth,” he said.
“As a chef I was pretty much going from town to town, running away from my problems but I was still bringing my problems with me.”
But after discovering the Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve Hospitality program, Mr Godou was able to find his feet.
“I thought I’d do a certificate III again and here I am today with full time work,” he said.
“They changed my life.”
Mr Godou isn’t alone, fellow worker Carl Benn was able to rejoin the workforce thanks to the program, finding full time work at an RSL.
“I was a carer for a while for my uncle. He passed away and then I had to get back into the workforce,” he said.
“I got my foot in the door.”
Mr Godou and Mr Benn are both success stories of the Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve – Hospitality program, an education project aimed at helping the community enter the workforce.
After the success of the most recent intake, $200,000 in funding has been delivered for the program.
It comes as part of an over $800,000 funding boost for Mundingburra to support six Skilling Queenslanders for Work grant programs.
Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole said the program is “life changing” for its participants.
“It’s 60 participants in each course. They go on, they finish their certificate III in hospitality and secure full time employment,” she said.
“Gael, Carl and all the other participants, they bring with them such a wealth of life skills and knowledge.”
The program has been recognised for its ability to assist mature aged workers re-enter the industry.
Mr Godou now works full time at Good Shepherd, and described his work as a “dream job.”
He hopes his journey can inspire others in similar situations to consider re-entering the industry.
“I realised that I’ve been given a gift of carrying the message that others can do it if I can,” he said.
“I just thought I wasn’t good enough and the Cowboys actually gave me some hope and faith again and believed in me.”
“If somebody else can believe in me, I could start believing in myself.”
“Now it’s our turn now that we’ve qualified to show other people they can do it too.”
Mr Godou and Mr Benn both entered the program as matured aged workers, sharing decades of knowledge with their fellow students.
Mrs Poole said she hopes to see more mature aged workers register for the program.
“Mature aged workers, they have a lot to offer and they have a lot to teach the younger workers coming through as well,” she said.
“They’re very valuable to the community.”
Registrations for the Certificate III in Hospitality program close January 14.
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Originally published as “Life changing” hospitality program receives $200,000 funding boost
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