Handover Event at Scottish Apprenticeship Week
The Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland (AHS) is a world-class, industry-led Hospitality Apprenticeship programme. The Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland’s aim is to nurture, develop and inspire the next generation of highly skilled talent for the Scottish hospitality industry.
The programme offers a route to gaining a qualification alongside practical experience in some of Scotland’s leading hotels.
Yesterday Blythswood Square Hotel hosted the AHS handover event, for two groups of apprentices. The handover event allows apprentices to reflect on their last six months on the programme where they worked within Housekeeping and the Kitchen. We heard from apprentices on their journey so far and also looked forward to the next six month rotation as they begin their journey within Food and Beverage departments.
Jamie Hepburn MSP met all of our apprentices talking to them about their roles, career aspirations and how they got into an apprenticeship in the first instance. He met apprentices from Year’s one and two of the course and also our first group of Ambassadors.
Our housekeeping apprentices shared their challenges and successes of their first six months on the course and gave a well prepared presentation. Jack Roberts, AHS Apprentice, APEX Hotels said “housekeeping gives great job satisfaction and a great perspective on everyone’s role within a hotel operation”. Beth Kelly, also from Apex Hotels said that she found the last six months “mentally and physically challenging” but has enjoyed the variety day to day and Leigh-Ann Gray from Trump Turnberry was looking forward to the next six months in Food and Beverage saying she “expects new skills, new challenges and lots to learn”.
The year two apprentices took to the floor to present on their time in the kitchens. Joe Posnett, AHS Apprentice, Apex Edinburgh. “the opportunity to earn when you are learning is great, learning skills and working towards your future career without building up increasing debt is a big bonus of doing an apprenticeship”. Daniella Garnier, AHS apprentice at Gleneagles Hotel shared her passion for the kitchen and all about the masterclasses and varied experience she has had in the last 6 months from a HIT Scotland Pastry Scholarship to Michel Roux book launch. Daniella has found her passion in the kitchen and this is where she sees her career going from strength to strength.
Rosie Wilkins, AHS Apprentice and SDS Apprentice of the Year 2017 shared her story from becoming an apprentice and going on to win the coveted award in November last year. Rosie has been part of the SDS launch of 2018’s awards and featured on STV News on the 7th March to promote apprenticeships with Director of Operations from SDS.
Finally, we heard from Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland who spoke to the apprentices about their responsibilities as role models for the industry and the high standard that AHS demands of the them. In a letter to AHS Chairperson, Rohaise Rose-Bristow yesterday, Damien said “it was remarkable to see the progress that AHS has made in translating the very best of practise to augment and enhance hospitality apprenticeships in Scotland. The apprentices were truly impressive, to hear their passion and commitment to work in the hospitality industry and their ambition to progress in to successful careers is a tribute to the work of the partner employers and the AHS programme.”
Notes:
AHS is a partnership of 14 Hotel’s across Scotland and training provider partner Training Matters – since it’s development in 2014, AHS has grown year on year and now has over 40 apprentices who are currently on the programme or have graduated. 2018’s induction takes place in October and our recruitment channels open soon. Please check our social media and website for updates.
The Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland programme is a benchmark for how MA programmes should run across Scotland
“Skills Development Scotland support 25,000 new Modern Apprentices starting each year. Recognising the benefits this brings to employers, individuals and the economy, they are committed to increasing this to 30,000 by 2020.”
