Young talent get taste of the industry

The event, held on 20th May at the Victory Services Club in London, was attended by over 100 students from colleges across the country including Westminster Kingsway College, Cambridge Regional College and Kingston College. Employers exhibiting at the event included Royal Garden Hotel, Hilton, Wiltons, Jumeriah Carlton Tower, Victory Services Club, The Goring, Novotel London West, Thistle, Hyatt Regency London The Churchill, Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf and Compass Group UK & Ireland. Graham Walker, 23, a student from Henley College Coventry commented on the day: "This was a really beneficial experience for me! I had the chance to meet and talk to some top employers. I was also able to have interviews with a range of companies and applied for several chef positions, which was exactly what I was looking for." As part of Summer School, employers were offering work placements in roles such as bar supervisor, housekeeping, chef de partie, hall porter, marketing assistant, F&B, commis waiter, receptionist and operational trainee. School leavers and college students had direct contact with industry employers and the chance to gain careers advice, guidance and information on working in the industry. Employers then offer selected students the chance of 10 minute interview sessions with a view to a two week work placement and ultimately the possibility of full time employment. The 31 students who have gained a place on the Summer School Programme will now undertake a one week pre-employment training course in July followed by a two week work placement with employers, which could then lead to full time employment. A celebration evening to mark the end of the programme will be held in September. Summer School Programmes are also held in Cardiff, Liverpool and the Midlands.