People1st Hosts Diploma in Hospitality Employer Champions Event
People 1st, the sector skills council for the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry, hosted an employer champions' induction day on Tuesday March 17 in conjunction with the DECN (the Diploma Employers Champions Network) and the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation at White Hart Lane. It showcased the new Diploma in Hospitality which will be taught in schools and colleges throughout England from September 2009.
The event, took place at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane Ground, and was hosted by Grant Cromwell, Chief Operating Officer of Tottenham Hotspur foundation, who, along with other large and small employers from across the country, were inducted as a Diploma in Hospitality employer champions.
The Diploma has been developed with the help of thousands of employers from a range of business types, sectors and sizes - from multinationals to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The resulting qualification will cover 17 subjects that bridge the gap between what young people are learning and the knowledge, attitudes and skills employers are crying out for. The role of the Network is to encourage more employers to get involved with schools and colleges to help bring Diploma learning to life.
In recognising the contribution of hospitality employers to the Network, the National Diploma Champion Sir Alan Jones of Toyota said: “The Champions' Network promotes the benefits of the Diploma to employers, and demonstrates that well-respected employers are integral to the design and delivery of the qualification. It is great to have the hospitality sector on board, working together with schools and colleges to improve educational and employment opportunities for young people."
The day included presentations from Anthony Mann, Head of Employer Engagement Unit, DCSF/SEMTA, who attended on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), Heather Taylor, Diploma in Hospitality, Project Manager at People 1st, and Diploma in Hospitality Employer Champion and 2007 Hotelier of the year, Michael Gray, General Manager of the Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill.
During the event it highlighted how important it is for employers to get involved with the new Diploma in Hospitality and the benefits it can bring to their businesses. These benefits include having better prepared and highly motivated young people on the team, a reduction in recruitment costs and the opportunity for businesses to support and participate in their local community.
The Diploma in Hospitality will be taught in schools and colleges from September 2009 and is one of the broader suite of 14-19 Diplomas which are set to become one of the three main education choices post 14 - alongside GCSEs/A-levels and Apprenticeships.
In addition, delegates took an official tour of the football ground, and had a demonstration from Billy Winsgrove a professional freestyle footballer.
The Hospitality employers who are represented on the Network are:
- June Harvey, Head of HR and Learning, Bartlett Mitchell
- Dipna Anand, Co-owner and Manager, Brilliant Restaurant
- Paul Sadler, General Manager, Calcot Manor
- Tracy Walker, Apprenticeships Manager, Center Parcs
- Andrew Stembridge, Managing Director, Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa
- Marios Poumpouris, Director, Chillerbox Ltd
- Glen Harrison, Group Training Officer, Concord Hotels
- Rob Rees, Managing Director, The Cotswold Chef
- Ian Hughes, Group IT Manager, Devonshire Hotels
- Peter Ward, Director, Full Circle Catering Ltd
- Sylvie Babout, Head of Operations and Training, Hampshire County Council
- Liz Smith-Mills, Housekeeping Consultant, JohnsonDiversey UK Ltd
- Lesley Milbourne, LMC Associates
- Jason Harding, General Manager, The Lowry Hotel
- Sean Wheeler, Group Director of People Development, Malmaison Hotels
- Mark Fagan, Mark Fagan Consultancy
- Mark Emmerson, General Catering Manager, Mercedes-Benz World
- Marc Verstringhe, Chairman, MESV Trust
- Nichola Roskell, Director of Human Resources, Q Hotels
- Lauren McCann, General Manager, The Queensberry Hotel and Olive Tree Restaurant
- Laurence Beere, Owner, The Queensberry Hotel and Olive Tree Restaurant
- Liz McGivern, Director of Human Resources and Training, Red Carnation Hotels
- Enam Ali, Spice Business Magazine
- Dee Trainer, Front Office Manager, Swinton Park
- Emma Jenkins, Human Resources Director, The Vineyard at Stockcross
- Nicholas Peth, General Manager, The Vineyard at Stockcross
- Carol Harwood, Training and Standards Manager, Hertfordshire Catering