La Trobe University is proud to announce a landmark partnership with the newly launched Collective Foundation, a not-for-profit initiative founded by renowned restaurateur Chris Lucas. This collaboration brings together industry leadership and academic expertise to deliver bespoke research and training programs designed to elevate Australia’s hospitality workforce.

The Collective Foundation was created to support the long-term sustainability of Australia’s $64 billion hospitality sector, which employs over half a million people across 56,000 venues nationwide. From baristas to boardrooms, the sector offers diverse and rewarding career paths, but many of these opportunities remain under-recognised.

Together, La Trobe and the Collective Foundation are working to change that.

“This style of industry partnership leverages the strengths of the University to design learning outcomes that have an immediate, practical application.”

Professor Chris Pakes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, La Trobe University

What We’re Delivering

Through this partnership, La Trobe Professional will co-design and deliver targeted learning experiences that respond directly to the sector’s evolving needs. These include:

• Career Development Pathways: Programs tailored for emerging leaders, with a focus on regional, rural, and diverse communities.
• Industry-Driven Research: Applied research that informs policy, innovation, and workforce strategy across the hospitality value chain.
• Job Enablement and Upskilling: Training that supports career transitions and builds foundational skills for long-term success.
• Creative and Sustainable Innovation: Initiatives that foster creativity and sustainability, from agriculture to service design.

Why It Matters

Hospitality is more than food and service, it’s culture, community, and economic impact. This partnership ensures that the sector’s future is shaped by informed, skilled professionals who understand its complexity and potential.

Read More

Read more about this partnership here.

Learn More

To explore how your organisation can benefit from this partnership, or to discuss bespoke training solutions, contact the La Trobe Professional team today.