Celebrating their achievements: Linda Lulerhe, Bibi Faizi, Busime Biringanine, Christiane Nyiransabimana and Fatuma Simabanga.
Photo by
Kady Hadjab
Letizia’s Café Bar Restaurant, a Shepparton institution from 2002 to 2017, transformed when Mario Letizia shifted gears towards education with COOKING 4 LIFE Hospitality Training and Development.
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Now known as Letizia’s Training and Development, this educational journey commenced with a humble group of five students three years ago.
Since then, the training provider has been partnering with organisations such as CGVT, Allens Training and Uniting to craft courses tailored to meet the evolving needs of its students.
From a modest start, it has blossomed into a comprehensive training hub, offering nine fully accredited courses, ranging from first aid to acquiring a white card (which is required to work on a construction site).
Letizia’s Training and Development students celebrated their achievements on January 25 during a certificate ceremony held as part of Multicultural Month celebrations.
The event, featuring a delightful morning tea, a diverse musical backdrop and students showcasing their cultures through dance, created a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
Congratulations: Back row, from left, Tiffany Letizia, Mario Letizia, Mokili Biringanine Bugando, Linda Lulerhe, Bibi Faizi, Nawal Abdalla, Busime Biringanine, Fatuma Simabanga, Ali Juma Ahmadi, Ndayizaniye Ejide and Christiane Nyiransabimana. Front row, from left, Seb Letizia, Holly Smith, Caitlin Stampfer, Elham Ahmadi, Khadijeh Heidari, Shirin Gul Sharifi and Charles Gashufi.
Photo by
Kady Hadjab
Mario and Tiffany Letizia, the driving forces behind this transformative training program, radiated pride as students proudly displayed their certificates. The celebration, marked by genuine emotions, became a heartfelt experience for all involved.
Their personalised approach distinguishes these courses, ensuring every student is included. Breaking conventional teaching norms, Mr Letizia’s holistic approach to education is deeply influenced by his family’s challenges as Vietnamese and Italian migrants in Australia during the 1960s.
Motivated by his parents’ struggles, Mr Letizia is dedicated to helping students overcome similar obstacles, especially language barriers. Understanding diverse backgrounds and learning styles, he tailors course delivery to suit unique needs.
“My classes are flexible. I teach them anything they want to learn,” Mr Letizia said.
With February fully booked, he expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from his students.
Leveraging his 13 years of restaurant ownership experience in Shepparton, he taps into his extensive network to connect students with potential employers. Demonstrating an unparalleled commitment to his students, Mr Letizia goes above and beyond, personally driving his former students to job interviews, underscoring his dedication to their success.
Letizia’s Training and Development symbolises a paradigm shift in education, dismantling barriers and empowering individuals to achieve their goals.
