There's going to be a new cafe on the block, and it will be a treat for Tamworth's hospitality trainees.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The new coffee shop at Viaduct Park will be a training ground for the region's youth, with revenue from the cafe going towards training more people.
Tamworth council will get $369,000 to fund the new establishment under a $100 million package from the state government for new projects benefiting regional youth.
NSW minister for regional youth Bronnie Taylor announced the funding in Tamworth on Thursday.
"Young people are telling us that they want to stay in our communities, they want to be work-ready, they want jobs, they need things to do and they want us to look after their mental health," she said. It's the first time the state government has set aside funding especially for regional youth, Mrs Taylor said.
Sophie Cheetham now works in hospitality after completing a training program through Joblink Plus in Tamworth.
She said the new cafe would help young people get into the workforce, and potentially out of trouble.
"If it wasn't for things like this, then people like myself wouldn't have the opportunity to make something of themselves," she said.
She said she hoped to continue working in hospitality and a cafe like this would have been "really good" when she was learning.
Read Also:
The location next to the Tamworth skatepark will add to the already huge appeal of the park, said Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson.
"This skatepark is the envy of regional Australia ... and now with a coffee shop and a cafe that will train our young people, it's the perfect fit," Mr Anderson said.
Plans for the new building indicate it will be a two storey design so visitors can see into the skate bowl from the top level.
The training organisation that will operate the cafe has not been confirmed.