The Wests Group Australia invests in training to boost retention

In a hospitality industry known for high turnover and constant change, The Wests Group Australia is boasting a significant increase in staff retention and creating clear pathways for employees to rise from entry-level roles into leadership.

Their secret? A commitment to investing in people through tailored, accessible training—powered by a strategic partnership with Allara Global and Allara Learning.

The Certificate III in Hospitality—an accredited, nationally recognised qualification—has become more than just a credential. It’s opened doors for employees to step into leadership roles within the organisation.

“We’ve seen individuals move from entry-level positions to significant leadership opportunities,” Rachel shares.

This investment in people has helped The Wests Group Australia build a workforce that’s skilled, confident, and engaged, while reducing turnover in an industry where retention can be a constant challenge.

The enthusiasm for the training is shared by the team members themselves. Tracy from the Cardiff Catering team, who recently completed the program, said, “It was not what I was expecting – it was even better! Learnt more than just textbook knowledge – broad range of information. I see a solid future in the hospitality sector and the opportunities that come from this course at The Wests Group Australia”. This sentiment underscores the real-world value and career-building potential the training offers participants.

The key to The Wests Group Australia’s success was choosing a training partner who could customise solutions to meet the unique needs of a busy, multi-site hospitality business. Through their partnership with Allara Global and Allara Learning, they created a blend of online and in-person training tailored specifically to their operations, policies, and procedures.

Rachel explains: “One of the standout features of our partnership has been Allara’s ability to tailor content specifically to our Group, ensuring every workshop aligns with our business context.”

To make learning more accessible, they also utilised dedicated training terminals in staff rooms across their venues—giving team members the chance to complete online courses during their shifts, without needing to leave the workplace.

“Making learning accessible and embedded into our work environment was a key strategy,” says Rachel. “It allowed more of our team to engage with training and see it as a natural part of their role.”

Andrew Lewis, CEO of Allara Learning, says the partnership with The Wests Group Australia is a powerful example of how customised, flexible training can fuel both business success and individual career growth.

“At Allara, we’re passionate about creating learning solutions that deliver real outcomes for both people and businesses. Working with The Wests Group Australia has been a privilege—we’ve seen first-hand how their investment in training has helped them build a strong, engaged team and create genuine career pathways for their people.”

By embedding training into their culture from day one, The Wests Group Australia has not only improved retention and team performance—they’ve empowered employees to see hospitality as a long-term, rewarding career.

“Integrate training into the culture from the start. Offer it during recruitment and induction to lay the foundation for ongoing development, so employees see it as a continuous part of their career growth,” Rachel advises.

The Wests Group Australia’s journey shows what’s possible when a hospitality business makes people development a priority. With high staff retention and a growing number of team members rising through the ranks, they’ve proven that a strong investment in learning pays off—in engagement, loyalty, and leadership.

Through their partnership with Allara Global and Allara Learning, they continue to build a workplace where talent grows, careers flourish, and success is shared.