SKILLS AND THRILLS, SURF AND TURF
New training and activity options add value to working holidays down under
‘Skills and Thrills’ - a six-day customised CV-enhancing itinerary combining practical job training and Sydney sightseeing tours - is one of several new options now available on the 2007/8 Work Australia programme from the work abroad experts, BUNAC. The perfect way to spend an extended break from work or studies, Work Australia offers 18 to 30-year-olds complete flexibility to live and travel anywhere in Australia for up to a full year on a working holiday of a lifetime. ‘Skills and Thrills’ is the ideal arrival itinerary to help participants kick-start their job search while familiarising themselves with the country. Other new options for 2007/08 include surfing and outback riding.
'Skills and Thrills’ is aimed to give BUNAC participants a head-start when looking for short-term casual work in Australia’s thriving hospitality industry. A full day’s comprehensive training course is provided in the Responsible Service of Alcohol and either Bar or Function Service Skills. A half-day job workshop covers topics such as CV-writing and interviewing tips plus there’s local, on-the-spot advice from a leading recruitment agency. During non-training times, participants can enjoy Sydney’s top tourist attractions followed by a three-day wine tasting tour at nearby Hunter Valley. The package costs £199 which includes training sessions, accommodation, transfers and excursions.
Two further add-on itineraries are also new to this year’s Work Australia programme. ‘Surf, Sand and Sun’ is the definitive seven-day outdoors adventure experience. Priced at £299, highlights include a trip to the beautiful Blue Mountains and four full days learning to surf on Sydney’s most famous coastline. The week-long ‘Jackaroo/Jillaroo Outback’ package, costing £375, consists of five days learning to ride in the real Australian outback. Participants receive training in areas such as horse shoeing, husbandry and mustering so are well-equipped to work on a ranch afterwards.
Full programme information and an application form can be found in the 2007/8 Work Australia Trip Planner which is now available at: www.bunac.org or by calling (020) 7251 3472. Applicants must first register on Work Australia before signing up to any of the new packages. The programme fee is £394 and covers free UK information talks, full pre-departure support from BUNAC and unlimited access to the walk-in resource centre of BUNAC’s Australian partner organisation. Applicants can make their own flight arrangements or travel with other participants on a BUNAC-arranged flight. Outward group flights start at around £1,000 and include an organised three-day stopover in either Hong Kong or Bangkok.
Established 45 years ago, BUNAC also offers working holidays in the USA, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, opportunities to work on an American summer camp and a variety of volunteer and teaching placements worldwide. Most programmes are open to anyone aged 18 or over.
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Press: for further information, contact Haydn Parks @ BUNAC. Tel: (020) 7251 0662 (please quote 020 7251 3472 in articles), e-mail: haydn.parks@bunac.org.uk
Photography is available on request.