TRAINING


news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk


Room to change… room to grow


Educators can help improve the careers of younger employees in a number of ways


W The Edge Hotel School is due to open to the public in spring 2012


First student-run hotel to launch Young people to train in 'fully-functioning' environment


By Tom Walker Educational charity Edge Foundation has teamed up with the University of Essex and Colchester Institute to launch the UK's first working hotel run and staffed by students. The Edge Hotel School will


enable students to become future leaders of hospitality by working in a fully- functioning hotel and learning from industry experts while gaining a degree level qualification. The Edge Hotel School will


be located at the Grade II-listed Wivenhoe House, Colchester,


and will operate as a four-star facility. It is scheduled to open in spring 2012 after a £10m refurbishment of the property. Students will receive practical


and vocational training while also working in a commercially sustainable business. Edge Foundation president


Sir Garry Hawkes, said: "To be able to operate a fully function- ing hotel with real members of the public staying, as well as providing both quality practical and vocational learning for the next generation of hospitality students, is a great move forward for the industry."


More than 40 young people from East Northampton have taken part in a new outdoor activity training initiative aimed at youngsters from deprived backgrounds. Funded by a £229,000


Change of Scene project launches Running until 2012, the


Natural England grant, the Change of Scene project gives youngsters the opportu- nity to access nature through adventurous and creative activities, while gaining valuable qualifications.


© Cybertrek 2010


scheme is a partnership between Northampton Borough Council, Northamp- tonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Police, four residents associations and the local Rotary Clubs. The project is open to


young people aged 13 to 19 and gives participants the opportunity to learn camping and survival skills and explore the outdoors.


ant to put the old stereotypes about working in housekeeping to bed once and for all?


Following the three 'Room to Change'


conferences its time to join Springboard, in an exciting new blueprint for a new careers campaign that will shape housekeeping and accommodation management, and help attract the next generation of talented professionals. Everyone associated with the industry can do something. If you're a GM, why not look at improving benefits, rewards and recognition? Make sure you hire qualified staff and integrate with other managers via interdepartmental swaps. You could even leave messages in guest's rooms. Make sure GM also stands for 'Great


Motivator'. Perhaps you're already working as an executive housekeeper and could help develop more high profile CPD for your staff, expand existing mentoring schemes and initiate Rising Star programmes and forge stronger links with colleges and universities. Ensure EH stands for 'exceptional help'. As an educator you can directly influence young people's


SAM COULSTOCK is customer relation- ship director at Springboard UK. Leisure Opportuni- ties is the official recruitment magazine for Springboard UK


career choice by looking at the content of your programmes, facilitating work experience and giving students the chance to get involved 'with have a go' sessions and definitely invite Springboard ambassadors to visit. Also, let people know what a brilliant career path awaits them if they choose this area. Springboard is producing innovative and accessible careers


material for colleges and universities, with the next CareerScope Hotels featuring a section on housekeeping and accommodation management. We're already linking our respected INSPIRE work experience quality standard to the campaign. Everyone can do something to help; you may have your own


ideas to change perceptions and Springboard has provided you with a framework to help. There's a rewarding role for everyone and regular updates and contact can be made by contributing to our Pillow Talk section on the website. If you want to become a Springboard ambassador then contact


us at www.roomtochange.springboarduk.net We can't pull the covers over our heads anymore and just hope


for the best. It's time for decisive action to help clean up the skills shortage and make a real difference in growing the next generation of housekeeping and accommodation managers.


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