Solihull College & University Centre Hospitality and Catering students, who are currently completing a Work Ready programme for the unemployed with Job Centre Plus, have had the opportunity to visit the home of Birmingham City Football Club, St Andrews to experience how the hospitality section is managed and have a chance of securing employment.
The students were able to speak with representatives from Birmingham City’s Hospitality team who have a vast amount of experience in the sector and have aided the football club in winning many awards in the hospitality sector. As well as this they enjoyed a tour of the hospitality facilities, giving them a taste of the places they could be working and who they would be serving, including the Legends Lounge, Bar 8 and the executive boxes, which all form part of the 3rd busiest conference centre in the whole of Birmingham.
After the tour of the grounds and conference suites the students were able to put their knowledge to the test with being quizzed on how to set a table in the correct way before they were then given a 1-to-1 interview with members of the hospitality team.
The students were encouraged to complete an application form which would lead to a potential interview for job vacancies available as early as next week, including hospitality service staff, bar assistants and kiosk staff. Those successful will receive basic training and will have a structured progression route at the company.
Over a period of weeks the students have been working hard on the programme which is run at Solihull College in partnership with Job Centre Plus, to complete their hospitality and catering qualifications to be able to find work within the sector. Having opportunities such as this with Birmingham City FC, gives those who are unemployed and on the Work Ready Programme an insight into the working world of hospitality and the hope of finding employment with a respectable employer.
For more information on the Work Ready Programme at Solihull College & University Centre visit www.solihull.ac.uk/work ready programmes or call 0121 678 7000.
