A POPULAR café in Logan – Harmony on Carmody – is a finalist in this week’s Queensland Multicultural Awards, after receiving a nomination in the business category.
Run by Access Community Services and situated on Carmody Street in Logan Central, the café is a social enterprise providing hands-on training in the hospitality industry for refugees, migrants and Indigenous job seekers aiming for sustainable employment.
Manager Alicia Noble, of Bethania, told the Times there was plenty of excitement throughout the café after its recognition.
“A lot of hard work goes into what we do, so to be nominated is quite humbling,” she said.
“I’m very proud of the team. I couldn’t do anything without the team that I work with onsite.”
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According to Ms Noble, the business employs 10 casual and one full-time staff members drawn from the region.
“We try to keep it local as best we can. Some staff members have come through the Work for the Dole program and at the end of that six months they are offered casual employment at the café,” she said.
“We also take on student placements from local high schools to give them experience in the hospitality industry.
“They learn a alot of things from the front of house to the food preparation and catering. We can offer them a range of experiences.”
Local focus
Ms Noble said the business works with Woodridge High School, Mabel Park High Schools, and St Francis College for student placements.
“We can provide them with work experience while they’re on a journey through school and completing Certificate III in hospitality.
“We also get candidates through the Skilling Queensland for Work program,” she said.
“There is diversity all through the café. One of our staff members comes from Thailand and we employ a couple of Africans.”
The awards recognise the valuable contributions of Queenslanders who support and promote a united, harmonious and inclusive state community, celebrated during Queensland Multicultural Month which runs throughout August.
The 2017 Queensland Multicultural Awards acknowledge an overarching theme: creating welcome, building opportunity, and celebrating diversity.
Finalists will be honoured at a ceremony on Sunday, August 6, at Logan Entertainment Centre.
