As a proud Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, I agree wholeheartedly with one of the organisations key aims to ‘Help inspire and develop young people and educators to help ensure hospitality is seen as a progressive career choice’.
This is why we attend, and support events like the recent Careers Day at Godalming College, and also why we provide an extensive work experience programme for young people interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality industry.
It might surprise you to learn that the hospitality industry contributes an estimated £93 billion to the UK economy, an amount that has increased by over £20 billion in the last six years. Despite a great many challenges, ours is very much a growth industry, employing over 3 million people…and counting.
Godalming College, about 5 miles from Mandolay, is an Education Award winner, rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and very much the sort of place that encourages their students to achieve their goals through exceptional support.
Their recent careers fair attracted employers from a great many sectors and businesses, all eager to tap into this wonderful student resource.
I would like to thank the staff at Godalming College for organising such a wonderful event.
As well as attending careers events, Mandolay also takes great pride in our own work placement programme.
We believe that it is important for students to gain proper experience of a busy workplace, rather than spending a week enduring menial tasks, or being treated as an afterthought.
Ahead of any work placement we invite the student to the hotel, along with a parent, guardian, or tutor. This visit allows the student to get a closer look at the hotel, shows mum and dad where their child will be working, and an opportunity to meet some of the people that they will be working alongside.
Importantly, it also gives us the chance to ask the students what they expect from us, explore any parts of our industry that they have a specific interest in, and any that they would rather avoid.
Once we have a clear idea of each student’s aims and requirements, we produce a timetable and a schedule of activities, as well as giving them a project to complete during their time with us.
This might seem to be a considerable investment in time, but the rewards are almost always worth the little extra effort as we see young people flourish and gain more confidence during their work experience.
I am proud to be part of a growing industry, one that takes its reputation seriously, and it is never anything less than a privilege to welcome exceptional new people into our business.
Matthew Milliken
Managing Director