The program ‘Cooking up Skills' was developed to fill shortages in the Hospitality Industry in the Northern Territory. Due to the transient nature of the Territory and the growth of tourism, employers require trained staff that are ready to start on arrival.

The project recruits and identifies 15 trainees in the Darwin area, with a focus on Commercial Cookery within the Hospitality Industry.

The program is delivered by Charles Darwin University and targets refugees, migrants and unemployed people in the Darwin area. Training runs for three weeks with a work experience placement at the end helping participants enter the work force.

The training provides participants with a clear understanding of the role of a commercial chef, it skills them to an industry entry level standard and provides them with the opportunity to gain apprenticeships or employment within the Hospitality Industry.

The program also increases the Territory's skills base and assists industry to access skilled and committed employees.

The program has been very successful in the past and participants from previous Cooking up Skills programs are currently still employed within the hospitality industry.