With its establishment funded with a $50,000 state government grant, the project will address low secondary school retention rates, high youth unemployment and a lack of people trained in hospitality in the town. 

The café will provide training and employment pathways for 20 program participants each year, thereby developing a skilled hospitality workforce to meet identified needs and skills shortages.

The program, delivered through a partnership with William Angliss TAFE, Hepburn Shire Council and Daylesford Secondary College, will provide practical experience for pupils studying VET hospitality at the secondary college as well as for young people who have completed barista and other pre-hospitality training through Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre.

Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said a similar project, the Social Foundry Café, had been established in Kyneton and had a great impact.

“I’m so excited to see a similar project come to life in Daylesford,” she said. “The café will provide training and employment pathways for local young people and develop more skilled hospitality workers locally for Daylesford’s thriving culinary and hospitality industry.”

Chief Executive Officer of Hepburn Shire Council, Evan King, said there was a skills shortage in the region’s hospitality industry so the café, to be located at The Rex precinct on Vincent Street, would provide hands on training.

He said he was unsure as to when the café would be able to open its doors to the public.

“The opening date for the social enterprise café will be dependent on the recommencement of The Rex project,” Mr King said. “The planning permit application process is at the advertising stage and a recommendation will be made to an upcoming Council meeting.”