Our expertise is sought internationally. The Centre for Tourism Studies and International Languages maintains a close association with industry, enabling us to modify the training product to reflect these current trends. In response to industry needs and in line with Adelaide Institute policy, the Centre for Tourism Studies has been able to respond to industry needs by providing short courses such as Tour Guide training for Volunteer Guides from Monarto Zoo and a series of Train the Trainer courses with the South Australian Tourism Commission. The Centre is unique in offering both an Industry Placement and Graduate Scholarship program, students and graduates are able to apply their newly acquired skills and knowledge in a variety of industry sectors. Members of staff liaise with industry to assist graduates to gain employment.
Industry provides a significant contribution to the development of our tourism programs.
In 1997, the Enterprise Training Service was asked by Philmac GPS, an irrigation plastics manufacturer and distributor to produce and deliver a training program based on competencies developed in-house by Philmac management. Philmac is an agricultural and domestic irrigation plastics manufacturer and distributor faced with increased domestic competition from overseas manufacturers. Because employees are used to the comfort of traditional markets, many do not feel confident having to deal with new people in new markets, eg engineers and mine operators as opposed to farmers and hardware store owners. Many sales staff see themselves as order takers rather than business relationship builders. The primary task was to provide sales training to Philmac representatives scattered around Australia.