CPL and A4e help young people find employment in hospitality sector
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
CPL Learning, the work-based learning arm of The CPL Training Group, and the Wirral branch of A4e, the leading public service provider, have teamed up to provide unemployed people on the Work Programme with a bespoke training package designed to help them find work in the hospitality industry.
Participants on the 6 week programme worked towards a Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles, which included customer service, food safety, age verification, first aid and health and safety all of which are vital attributes for people as they move towards employment as a Hospitality apprentice. CPL supports learners through classroom learning, e-learning, job shadowing and arranging interviews.
A4e Wirral Business Leader, Craig Doyle, has been delighted by the success of the programme: “I am delighted to be working alongside CPL who have delivered a very well received and worthwhile hospitality course to our customers. The first course saw 12 candidates attain five vocational qualifications each and a work placement at the end of the course, which has already resulted in four learners getting a job. This is a very encouraging start and the positive impact has been really evident in terms of customers’ self-esteem and confidence. I look forward to a long term association with CPL.”
While four of the learners, who have completed their courses, have already found employment within the hospitality sector, the rest are expected to be placed by the end of November. Employers who invited our clients to experience work in this sector included the Caernarvon Castle Pub in Wirral, The Cupcake Café in Hoylake, Lattetude Café West Kirby, Spoilt For Choice Café Birkenhead, Cheshire Caterers, Carr Farm Meols, Twelve Quays Café Birkenhead, Hornblowers Pub Birkenhead and Sheridans Pub Wallasey.
Participant Cathryn Williams, who is now working towards a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Hospitality, said she was extremely grateful for the opportunity. She said: “I enjoyed the whole course – the trainers were excellent and always available if needed. I feel 100% more confident and was offered a job on my second day of work placement. I would recommend this course to anyone.”
Pleased with the feedback and level of success so far, CPL Learning Contracts Manager, Sue Mayers, is looking forward to expanding the programme further. She said: “The success of the programme has been incredible and with all learners either in, or soon to be in, employment, it has given them all a great confidence boost.
“We’ve had such a good response that we are creating another programme with A4e for Wirral with 32 places available and hope to be able to roll this out to other parts of Merseyside. The hospitality sector is such a large industry we feel that, especially with Christmas around the corner, we can supply employers with trained, confident workers that will be of real benefit to their business.
“Local employers have also responded well to the programme, with several offering participants a three day job taster, for which I would like to thank them and for their continued support.”
CPL and A4e held a presentation on Friday 23rd November at The Lauries Centre in Birkenhead to present learners with their certificates.
A4e is delivering the Work Programme on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Job Centre Plus.
