The World of Hospitality Issue 15 2016 | Page 90

90 pub 16 the World Of Hospitality 16 Hospitality launches new training programme following two successful open days Pub operator 16 Hospitality has officially launched its new hospitality training programme, The Hub, after two successful open days held in two of its Cheshire and Anglesey sites. Following a recent report from the Recruitment and Employee Confederation (RED) and KPMG highlighting the lack of skilled chefs and service staff in the hospitality industry, The Hub has been designed to offer some of the most varied and ‘hands on’ hospitality training in the UK. As well as gaining formal qualifications accredited by City & Guilds, The Hubs recruits, known as ‘rookies’, will experience what it means to work in the day-to-day operation of hospitality venues, as well as have the unique opportunity to experience exciting and informative external trips including: sea fishing, wine tasting and brewery tours, thanks to links with a range of hospitality partners. The training programme is open all year round to people of all ages, whether 18 or 65. The only requirements are that applicants hold no previous experience and have a strong work ethic. Rookies will be guided through their training by an experienced mentor from within the company, as well as an external tutor, who will be on hand to assist them with both theoretical and practical study and ensure quality service levels are always delivered. The training programme will be rolled out to include all of 16 Hospitality’s sites across the north west of England and north Wales, and a small group of students will be recruited at each of the venues. The Hub’s open days in February, marked the launch of the programme and were held at two of 16 Hospitality’s sites, The Swan in Tarporley, Cheshire, and The Oyster Catcher in Rhosneigr, Anglesey. A number of positive talks were given to the potential applicants from the senior management team at 16 Hospitality, including Edward Barlow, Managing Director of 16 Hospitality, Matt Parker, Operations Manager and Catherine Daley, Head of HR and Training. The potential applicants tried their hand at blind food and drink tasting, before they were given a tour, front and back of house, around each of the venues. Managing Director of 16 Hospitality, Edward Barlow, talks about what The Hub hopes to provide to recruits: “What we want to offer at The Hub is not only a practical training programme but a life-changing experience, beginning with being handed an alarm clock to help with those early mornings and a ‘rookie’ badge. Those who succeed will not only receive graduation honours but a job guarantee at either one of our venues or one of our carefully selected partners. “It’s crucial that the lack of skilled professionals in the hospitality industry is addressed and it is our aim to develop fully trained, highly skilled and talented chefs, management teams and industry professionals.” Matthew Parker added: “The attendees at both open days were enthusiastic, asked insightful questions and were clearly passionate about the hospitality industry, which are exactly the kind of people that we want to recruit. If the open days are any indication, I believe that the training programme will be successful in producing the next line of talented hospitality professionals” Anyone who would like more information about The Hub, please contact [email protected]. Website: www.16hospitality.co.uk | Email: [email protected]