TAFE is literally opening up a world of opportunities for Claire

Claire Valentine wants to see the world.

After graduating from high school in 2023, she took a gap year. Like many people, she worked in hospitality and went on a 3-month backpacking adventure around Europe.

Claire also took a gap year because she didn’t want to commit to university straight out of high school.

‘Nothing in typical uni interested me,’ she says.

Back from her Mediterranean travels and looking ahead to 2025, Claire still didn’t have a passion for university, but she didn’t want to just spend her whole year working.

She wanted to be learning something new, and she also had a goal to work overseas one day.

That’s where Claire’s mum came in. Claire had started working in hospitality when she was 15, so her mum suggested doing a TAFE course at William Angliss Institute.

‘I’d never heard of it,’ Claire admits, but she thought it could help with her travel goals. ‘Experience is good, but having a qualification will help me further.’

Claire enrolled in the Diploma of Hospitality Management, which is offered through Victoria’s Free TAFE program as a full-time, 1-year course. And in even better news, Claire says, ‘it’s been so much fun, I’m so glad I did it.’

A typical day at TAFE for Claire can include anything from learning about housekeeping and porter services to making – and tasting – cocktails.

William Angliss Institute also gives students the opportunity to get real-world experience at some pretty impressive events.

Earlier this year, Claire worked at the World’s Longest Lunch, the signature event of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. The three-course meal was designed by internationally renowned chef Curtis Stone and served at a 600-metre table winding through Melbourne’s Kings Domain.

Claire and her hospitality classmates helped to serve almost 2,000 meals, braving the cold and taking many, many trips back and forth between the kitchen and the guests. She says it was a great experience and the biggest plate service she’s ever done. ‘I sure got my steps in that day!’

Claire also jumped at the chance to interview for a job at Melbourne’s Formula 1 Grand Prix. She secured a role with event and hospitality company Food and Desire and worked in a corporate suite for the final 3 days of the event, including the big race day.

Before her first shift, she wasn’t sure what to expect. ‘I was intimidated, it’s on TV, it’s a big event,’ she says honestly. However, she had no need to worry. ‘It was more chill than I expected, but maybe because I was doing canapes and not a 3-plate carry.’ Spoken like a true professional!

Claire says working at the grand prix was definitely worthwhile. ‘As much as it was very long and tiring, it was such an amazing experience and I’m so grateful to William Angliss Institute for giving me the opportunity to apply,’ she says. And there was an unexpected bonus. ‘I didn’t know much about F1 and now I do!’

Looking ahead, Claire has her heart set on working overseas. ‘Living in London could be an option, or Scotland would be cool.’

She’s not sure whether she’ll make the big move next year, though. She might take another gap year, or more study could be on the cards, possibly in hotel management. ‘Doing hotel classes in this course opened my eyes,’ Claire says, ‘because it’s a good opportunity to work around the world.’

For now, she’s enjoying studying with her new friends, working nights and weekends in hospitality, and hosting dinner parties - when she gets some free time.

She also feels very lucky that her mum suggested William Angliss Institute. ‘It really is a great school and a good community to be a part of.’

Find out where Free TAFE can take you.