City partners connect residents to hospitality and catering jobs

Wolverhampton Council has joined forces with employment and skills partners and local businesses to boost the job opportunities of city residents in the hospitality and catering sector.

The council’s skills team, City of Wolverhampton College, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provided their latest bespoke training course at the Youth Employment Hub, The Way Youth Zone, School Street, which offers a range of support to young people looking for work.

Local employers, including The Halls Wolverhampton, Owen Payne Recruitment Agency, The Mount Hotel, and The Park View Hotel, also offered interviews to the course participants.

The 16 young people all gained the necessary qualifications needed to apply for the seasonal job vacancies in the hospitality and catering sector.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Education, said: “Our events strategy and the growing number of visitors coming to the city for shows and exhibitions at the new-look The Halls Wolverhampton, Grand Theatre and Art Gallery mean it is important we enable our residents to gain the skills needed to take advantage of the job opportunities being generated in the hospitality and catering sector.

“The course at the Youth Employment Hub us just one example of the courses and opportunities on offer and demonstrates that working together in partnership we can create opportunities and pathways into education, skills and employment for our residents across Wolverhampton.”

Kayleigh Parker, aged 26, a participant on the course said: “I have really enjoyed this programme, I feel more confident to apply for a job within the hospitality sector and one day hope to be a chef and open my restaurant.”

Lorna Prosser, City of Wolverhampton College Curriculum Manager, Adults, Community, Employability and ESOL, added: “The partnership between the college and city council continues to move in the right direction, providing learning and skills opportunities to local residents and young people.

“We are pleased that the partnership has supported 16 young people to access training within the hospitality and catering sector and guaranteed interviews.”

For more information on community skills training please contact Karen Sahota at City of Wolverhampton Council on 07881 358679, email Karen.Sahota@wolverhampton.gov.uk or visit www.wolvesworkbox.com

The Youth Employment Hub is a one stop shop for young people aged between 16-29 looking to get advice, skills, and experience to get into work. Drop-in Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 3.30pm, email youthhub@wolverhampton.gov.uk, or call 01902 558951.