Serving up skills for a brighter future
Katrina Lazari, SQW MultiLink Trainer
This program is very important for the community, as I believe employment is dignity.
I really do believe that if you have a job and you have a purpose and you have somewhere to go and wake up for every day, that is going to make you feel like a valuable member of our community.
Pete Hutton, SQW MultiLink project co-ordinator
It's been an amazing SQW project. It’s probably, I might say, our flagship project with MultiLink.
Just seeing the participant start from day one and then over the course of a week, start developing some friendships and bonds and then, by the end of the time with us, they've just grown so much in confidence and developed really great friendships and are ready to go into the workforce.
Katrina Lazari, SQW MultiLink Trainer
Every day we are making a soup and cutting up fruits and vegetables and preparing all of the food for our lovely clients here at the centre.
Sheerin Sultana, SQW participant
This course teaches you to handle your kitchen in a more professional way. So I would recommend this, like, you know, everyone should join this course.
I was having a little bit of trouble getting into the hospitality field, and I saw that this certificate come up and I thought, that's gonna be a great stepping stone for me to eventually branch into hospitality.
Melanie Hornby, SQW participant
I do feel confident within myself. I want to actually go out there now and hopefully get a job and just, yeah, make happy people happy with their food.
Sheerin Sultana, SQW participant
My goal would be to get some nice experience in the hospitality industry, and I would like to start something of my own.
Melanie Hornby, SQW participant
I would recommend the SQW program. It enabled me to become me and, like, come outside my box and yeah, it's just an amazing opportunity.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work MultiLink Certificate I in Hospitality project funded by the Queensland Government, is creating meaningful pathways into employment for job seekers through a structured 20-week traineeship.
Delivered at MultiLink’s Multipurpose Community Centre in Logan, the program provides hands-on experience in a large commercial kitchen and the Hole in the Wall Café. Participants work in a real-world environment, preparing meals, supporting community catering and developing practical hospitality skills aligned with industry expectations.
Trainees complete a Certificate I in Hospitality alongside accredited training in First Aid, CPR, Responsible Service of Alcohol and espresso coffee preparation. Training is delivered by Axiom ensuring participants gain recognised, job-ready qualifications.
Beyond technical training, the program focuses on building confidence, connection and employability.
Participants also take part in non-accredited workshops and life skills development, supported by mentoring and tailored job preparation assistance to help overcome barriers to employment.
For trainer Katrina Lazari, the impact of the program extends far beyond skills training.
“Employment is dignity. If you have a job, a purpose, and somewhere to go each day it makes you feel like a valuable member of the community,” she said.
Project coordinator Pete Hutton has witnessed significant transformation in participants throughout the program.
“It’s been an amazing SQW project. Just seeing participants start from day one and then, over time, develop friendships, confidence and the skills to step into the workforce has been incredibly rewarding,” he said.
Participants echo this sentiment. Sheerin Sultana joined the program after struggling to enter the hospitality industry and now sees the training as a stepping stone to future opportunities.
“This course teaches you to handle your kitchen in a more professional way,” Sheerin said.
For Melanie Hornby the experience has been life-changing.
“I feel confident within myself now. I want to get a job and make people happy with my food,” Melanie said.
By combining accredited training, practical experience and holistic support, the MultiLink project is not only building hospitality skills — it is empowering individuals to move forward with confidence and create sustainable employment pathways in priority sectors, including hospitality and aged care.
Discover what’s possible through Skilling Queenslanders for Work.