Whitbread has connected with 16 students at Middlesbrough College who are wanting to join the hospitality industry and build a career.
The students have spent two days working in a local Premier Inn, covering all departments including reception, the restaurant, kitchen, and housekeeping as part of Whitbread’s youth strategy to support 500 young people this academic year in accessing a career in hospitality.
The students learned about the roles in the department they were joining and received first-hand experience on how Whitbread operates in different roles, to help them understand how a hotel business operates on a day-to-day basis.
After the two days’ work experience all students received a certificate which they can add to their college portfolio and to their CV.
Meanwhile, students who are interested in joining Whitbread will be invited back for more in-depth work experience which will follow a 10-day structured programme and those who have applied for a job with the hotel owner will be interviewed, in hope of getting them a job in the hospitality industry.
The students have been able to network with the local managers in their area and if they are interested in opportunities in the future now have people to connect with directly.
Gemma Raby, resourcing programme manager for Whitbread, said: “It was fantastic to welcome the students from Middlesbrough College and get to know them and what their career aspirations are but also what barriers to experience and employment they face.
“There was some real talent in the group and some who wanted to come and work for us which was great to hear. Knowing that we have been able to provide these young people with some experience into the world of work and what our operation is like, then to hear they want to come and join our team makes it clear we have been able to make a positive impact on them now and for their future and that makes me proud”.
Zoe Lewis, principal and chief executive of Middlesbrough College, added: “It’s fantastic to see exciting opportunities like this put forward to our students as it gives them the vital experience they need for the real world of work.
“Middlesbrough College is dedicated to working alongside industry to deliver courses that give young people the right skills for the future, and work placements such as this one is a great example of the skills and knowledge our students can acquire through the experience.”
