Hospitality employment specialist develops young talent with Summer School programme

A group of school leavers from London have been able to kickstart their careers in hospitality with free, sponsored training from the UK hospitality charity Springboard.

Aimed at school and college leavers aged 16-18, Springboard’s Summer School programme is a free two-week course.

Made possible through sponsorship from the Worshipful Company of Innholders, the programme comprises four days of training and five days of work experience, with businesses including the Hilton Waldorf and The Royal Lancaster providing placements for participants.

The London Summer School programme saw 11 local students participate in various workshops and develop their CVs and interview techniques, with additional elements focused on developing health and safety, food hygiene, and customer service skills and enabling them to gain three industry-related qualifications in these areas.

Students also visited Park Plaza Waterloo, where they received a hotel tour and took part in a mocktail-making class, and one candidate even secured a place at the Raymond Blanc Apprenticeship Academy at the end of training.

Discussing her participation in the programme, Vera, age 17, said: “I am passionate about a future in the food industry, and I am very tenacious and open to new adventures. Springboard’s Summer School has allowed me to further my knowledge, whilst also progressing my work experience.”

Participant Neha, age 16, added: “Springboard’s Summer School has been a fantastic way to learn new skills while opening up opportunities to work in the hospitality industry”.

Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, said: “With the hospitality sector taking a big hit over the last couple of years, the Summer Schools is an important programme to introduce new young talent to the world of hospitality. It’s more important than ever to keep the idea of a career in hospitality at the forefront of students, teachers, and parents’ minds.

“We hope the students taking part will be able to take a pivotal role in the recovery of the sector, through the injection of talented and motivated individuals to the workforce and the promotion of the industry.”

During the summer holidays, Springboard will host three more summer school-style programmes in Manchester, East Anglia, and Northern Ireland. Upon completing the course, participants will have access to employers, with the potential to gain full or part-time employment.

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