Business - December 2009 newsletter
Time and time again it becomes apparent that the passion of those in the industry is astounding. One of the challenges facing the Hospitality DDP (Diploma Development Partnership) is communicating that passion to learners, parent and carers.
We are fortunate within the hospitality sector to have such support from employers and businesses. We have already highlighted in previous newsletters examples of how businesses can get involved with the teaching of the Diploma. However, when it comes to information, advice and guidance it is only recently that employers have really started to come into their own.
One area where employers have been working with schools and colleges to promote understanding of the hospitality industry for some time is Portsmouth. Gerry Shurman, head of catering, hospitality and travel at South Downs College says: “Every year we work with the Greater Portsmouth Hoteliers Association (GPHA) to put on a big careers event where students are invited from all the schools and colleges in the area to attend and take part in a range of taster activities.”
The event, held at the Marriott Hotel, gave students the opportunity to take part in a number of interactive activities, including making non-alcoholic cocktails, food sculpturing, making fresh pasta and even painting nails. For Barend-Jan Schreuder, general manager of the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel, it was a great opportunity to showcase the hospitality industry and the roles available. He says: “We showed lots of different sides to hospitality. If you work in a hotel you can get a thousand jobs a day and everyday is different.”
“We gave students an insight into different industries: management, accounting, restaurants, events and conferences, spas and even golf”.
This is not the first event championed by the GPHA. Earlier this year hotels from all over the Portsmouth area opened their doors to over 800 people, including students and their parents and teachers, in the hope of giving them a real understanding of what goes on within business.
For Barend-Jan, the events are a great chance for the hotels “as a community to give back to community” and advertise the great opportunities available in the sector.
Did you know…
About UKSP?
www.uksp.co.uk is People 1st’s one-stop shop for information on jobs, careers, qualifications, training providers, and funding for the sector. Aimed at students and those already working in or considering a career in the hospitality industry, the site demonstrates the wealth of opportunities available within hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism through an interactive career map, and guides to the best employers, qualifications and providers.
Job seekers can also upload their cvs onto the UKSP ‘Get Spotted’ marketplace where ‘Good Employers’ – those who demonstrate their commitment to training and developing their staff – can search for candidates.
26.11.2009