Charnwood and Spirit prove the perfect partners at Hospitality Guild Awards

winter 2014

charnwoodnews

The leading provider of learning and development solutions for the hospitality sector

HOSPITALITY GUILD AWARDS 2013 Double win announced at Tower of London

50 APPRENTICE-SHIPS IN 50 DAYS Robinsons Brewery cele-brates successful launch

NEW HOSPITALITY ELEARNINGNew and improved online courses now available.

We are delighted to announce

that Charnwood and Spirit Pub

Company won the Hospitality

Guild’s ‘Partnership of the Year

2013’ award. This prestigious

accolade was announced on

3rd December at a prestigious

ceremony in the Tower of London,

hosted by legendary restaurateur

and Masterchef: The Professionals

star Michel Roux Jnr.

0845 437 4000 www.charnwood.co.uk

The two companies fought of stiff competition from other prestigious nominees, and this award recognises the high level of cooperation and synergy between the two companies and judges were particularly impressed with the clear roles and responsibilities within the partnership and the joint delivery of the programme.

With a joint strategic approach we are continually seeking to inspire, engage and develop people to see hospitality as a permanent and secure career choice. The award also reflects our companies’ ongoing

commitment to nurturing talent and securing the future of the licensed hospitality sector. It is so encouraging to see so many young people in the industry undertaking the development courses. The announcement in late 2013 that Spirit now has over 1,000 apprentices undertaking on their programme reinforces this and we are looking forward to working together throughout 2014.

Joanne Bradford, National Qualifications Manager at Spirit Pub Company, added: ‘“We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this award with Charnwood. Together we have

worked incredibly hard over the past three years to develop an interesting and challenging apprenticeship programme that provides our apprentices with the technical skills and underpinning knowledge to progress in their hospitality careers with us, their employer of choice. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership in 2014 and build on our considerable achievements, continuing to develop apprenticeship careers and the pathways available to them together.”

raising hospitality standards

We are delighted to announce that Conan Brooks, an apprentice within our professional academy, was crowned Hospitality Guild’s Intermediate Apprentice of the year 2013 in December. This latest accolade rounds off a year of outstanding achievement which also saw Conan named at the East Midland’s Intermediate Apprentice of the Year and also the winner of the 2013 Rotary Young Chef of the Year.

Hospitality Guild Award crowns a stellar 2013 for Conan

Managing Partner Jeremy Scorer shares his views on the skills and training industry in his first Expert’s Blog for Training Journal. In this post, Jeremy focuses on future relationships between hospitality employers and quality training providers as well as how future policy changes to the structure of apprenticeships will affect the partnership landscape.

“With changes afoot over the next three years in the vocational education and training sector, I felt it imperative to speak up and stress the importance of stronger, healthier and more productive partnerships between employers and training providers going forward. I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you over the coming months and championing the values of skills and training in the UK.” – Jeremy Scorer, Managing Partner

Extracts from Jeremy Scorers Blog:

• ‘Over the last couple of years I have witnessed an evolving perception of

education in the workplace, with more employers placing greater emphasis

on the importance of learning and development amongst their workforce

to achieve both corporate and strategic business objectives. Nowhere has

this evolution been more nuanced than in the rising popularity of ‘Parallel

Pathways’, a process of delivery where an employer’s career pathway is mapped

to a provider’s learning and development programme solution.’

• ‘In a ‘Parallel Pathway’ approach, education starts early and the models can be

highly-flexible, allowing employers to collaborate with providers and schools to

attract young, fresh talent into their business.’

• ‘With such a wealth of opportunity for companies to dictate the content of their

courses it is up to us, the providers, to communicate this message and flag

the wide range of tailored opportunities to employers. For example, this could

be achieved through increasing awareness of how learning and development

programmes (such as apprenticeship qualifications) can be embraced and

woven into a company to aid the achievement of key business objectives,

including: retention, performance, management skills and customer service/

satisfaction…’

Sarah started a Level 2 Hospitality Services Apprenticeship Programme at the Charnwood academy in September 2013 and is enjoying it so much she has started her own personal blog to record her experience.

Each month Sarah will be writing on a range of topics from her passion for artisan food and cookery, especially baking, as well as an account of everyday life at the academy.

Scan the QR code to read Sarah’s blog or visit http://bit.ly/1dQ1eoY

Academy apprentice gets blogging

It has been a spectacular journey so far. Conan, who is 17 years old, has been at the Charnwood academy since September 2012, where he had undergone rigorous culinary and service training with the support of the academy’s professional trainers.

Securing a work placement at Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin star restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, provided inspiration, giving Conan the opportunity to develop and refine his skills to such a standard that he has become one of our star apprentices.

It is great to see that Conan’s hard work has

been deservedly rewarded at a competitive level

against other high quality nominees, and these

accolades serve as recognition to his unique

combination of dedication, enthusiasm and

initiative.

Conan is now working full time as a commis

chef at the Launay’s Restaurant and Bar in

Nottinghamshire and we all wish him the best of

luck going forward

Perfect partnerships for tailored training

Jeremy posting monthly on topical issues directly affecting the skills and training market, offering best practice advice and sharing his extensive sector experience. Scan the QR code to read more or visit www.trainingjournal.com

In the spotlight: Callum Gallagher

Callum Gallagher, Customer Service Manager, Ramside HallCallum started his BIIAB Licensed Hospitality Skills programme in October 2012 and was promoted to Trainee Manager shortly after.

Over the months Callum quickly progressed, growing more confident into his new job role. Simultaneously, his enthusiasm for the programme increased and he established a close relationship with his Charnwood training officer, Jacqueline Walsham.

The journey was not without difficulties, Callum started to lose a little faith when he had been unsuccessful in passing three of the technical certificates. However, he remained dedicated and always mindful of the opportunities that the programme would open up to him, as his Charnwood training officer, Jacqueline Walsham explains:

“Callum put in the hard work and would spend days at a time with me to make sure that he passed these exams and was able to complete the programme, which he did. Overall Callum has showed how much can be achieved once you put your mind to it.

“For such a young lad he is mature, and is extremely likeable with guests and customers, regularly receiving positive feedback. Earlier this year, Callum suffered a massive blow in his personal circumstances when his mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, not one to dwell on the negative Callum took to arrange a charity fundraising night at the Hotel with all proceeds going to Macmillan. Callum was instrumental in the planning and organising of the event and raised £4000 for the charity.”

Callum graduated from the Academy in November 2013, achieving his 10 technical certificates as well as his NVQ in Licensed Hospitality Skills. Commenting on his experience at the Ramside Hall Academy, Callum said:

“With this qualification I am able to progress and take the first steps to gaining my personal licence. With this I will be able to move forward in my career.”

Charnwood secures exclusive contract with Flow Hospitality

50 apprentices in 50 days for Robinsons

Robinsons Brewery has announced that their modern ‘Apprenticeship PLUS’ programme has signed up 50 applicants in the first 50 days - well on their way to 130 applicants by June of next year.

Funded through the GM Chamber of Commerce Employer Ownership of Skills Pilot (EOS), the programme has been developed with other Greater Manchester regional brewers, restaurant and pub operators to address concerns with the current offering by adding additional qualifications in customer service and wine knowledge as well as giving every apprentice their APLH (personal licence).

Commenting on the initial success, Rebecca Bolger, account manager at Charnwood said, “It’s great that licensees are supporting Robinsons development programme and encouraging their staff to get involved to gain accredited and relevant industry qualifications. We’re excited to see how our relationship will develop over the next few months.”

The programme is open to any pub, club, restaurant, and Hotel in the North West - not just Robinson’s - If you have a member of staff of any age, working an average of 30 hours a week or more, who might be interested please e-mail rebecca.bolger@charnwood.co.uk

Ramside Hall Academy celebrates first year

Ramside Hall, a luxury hotel and golf resort in County Durham, celebrated the first year anniversary of their Learners Academy in November 2013 at a special graduation ceremony for trainees and apprentices.

Each Academy members, who had completed and achieved a qualification, attended the ceremony and was were recognised for their hard work. During the event Academy Learners, Abigail Moscrop and Callum Gallagher (see case study) were presented with a ‘Star Performer’ award, for exceptional commitment to their learning and

career development recognising two outstanding learners who have made a personal commitment to their learning and career development.

As the academy continues to develop, the key objectives of the Learning Academy are personal development, through up-skilling of maths and English, as well as an increased awareness of guest experience and the professional delivery of customer service.

Reflecting on the one year anniversary of the academy, Victoria Hope, HR Manager at Ramside

Hall said: ‘‘The Ramside Academy offers our employees a fantastic opportunity to play a lead role within their own personal development, with the focus around up skilling, delivering professional customer service and guest experiences, ultimately achieving a recognised qualification within hospitality. A win, win for both our business and employees.’

We’re delighted to tell you that we have secured an exclusive partnership with Flow Hospitality e-learning providers to offer an even better service to our customers and in making sure our learners get the most out of their learning programmes.

There will be several e-learning courses will be available to new and existing learners From February 2014 including customer service, working in a kitchen, table waiting and service that sells we will be offering 15 new courses for e-learners including: customer service, working in a kitchen, table waiting, coffee, cask ale and licensing and social responsibility. These cutting-edge e-learning products will allow both apprentices and learners to up-skill, refresh knowledge and increase confidence when dealing with customers

Each course is available online with 24/7 access and has ‘stop and start’ settings so that you can close down and save your progress.

For more information

Scan the QR code to try a course or speak to your Charnwood training officer about the opportunities and e-learning courses available to you.

TO SUBSCRIBE FOR AN E-VERSION OF THIS NEWSLETTER, SEND AN EMAIL TO ENQUIRIES@CHARNWOOD.CO.UK

0845 437 4000 www.charnwood.co.uk Charnwood Training Group, Charnwood Academy, Sutton Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 8HN

charnwood news

Nowhere is this more important than in your application, candidates who can communicate their passion and their ability are those who get noticed.

Here are our top three tips to make sure your application stands out from the crowd

• TRIM THE EXCESS – be clear and succinct, include the essentials and dazzle the employer with the rest.

• TIDY IT UP – Presentation is very important as it reflects you attention to detail. Make sure spellings, grammar are correct and formatting is consistent before submitting.

• INCLUDE A PERSONAL STATEMENT – Highlight your key skills and qualities that make you the best candidate for the role.

Ready to apply?Then we want to hear from you! To find out more about your career in hospitality email learn@charnwood.co.uk for a full list of our courses and apprenticeship programmes.

Applying for a job in hospitality?

Have you considered a career in hospitality?

With more school leavers moving away from university and college-style education to get more hands on training and experience, earn some money and get a firm foot on the first rung of the UK career ladder, it has never been a better time to enter the industry.

Hospitality is a rich and rewarding sector encompassing a variety of different career paths to suit your skills; from the refinement and precision of patisserie to the sophisticated, urban-chic of a master barista, there’s a role to for you.

For those looking for a role in hospitality, the very best candidates need to display:

• A passion for people

• An ambition to work in a fast-paced, dynamic sector

• A can-do attitude and team spirit

Still not convinced? A recent survey conducted by TheJobCrowd found that those working in hospitality were the most satisfied with the way they had progressed within their company, highlighting the relatively higher degree of career satisfaction in hospitality-based roles compared to other sectors taking part in this survey.