New Fast Track to Work Programme launches at Kings Bournemouth
10 Jun 2020
Our new ‘Fast Track to Work’ programme offers a fresh approach to studying and working in the UK, giving students aged 17+ the opportunity to gain paid work in Bournemouth’s booming hotel and hospitality sector. Paid positions are available as chefs, receptionists, sommeliers, housekeeping, bar staff and kitchen staff with one of our selected superior hotel partners in the town such as the Hilton, the Marriot, the Oceana Group and the Marsham Court.
Hotel managers are on the look-out for bright, hard-working staff with a strong work ethic and a good level of English to fill paid positions. There is currently a particular shortage of chefs in the local area.
The programme comprises an integrated 4-week training course with specific language training in English for the Hospitality Industry. During the course, students are equipped with the functional language required to work in the sector. We look at body language, how to stand, how to talk to customers, how to serve drinks and food, how to take an order, how to answer the phone and how to present yourself to employers. We offer a CV clinic. We provide interview practice. We ensure that students are well-coached and ‘match ready’ when they arrive for interview.
Students are then matched up with a suitable vacancy in one of our partner hotels in the town. The first week of work acts as a ‘trial’ or unpaid placement. On successful completion of the one-week trial, students progress on to paid work in the hotel and undertake their functions alongside colleagues in the hotel. Participants receive at least the minimum wage (from April 2020 this is £6.45 for those aged 18-20; £8.20 for those aged 21-24 and £8.72 for those aged 25+) and can earn very well by working overtime on evenings, weekends and at special events such as wedding receptions. Most positions are permanent and open-ended. Hotels prefer candidates who can commit to at least a 6-month stay.
The course is led by well-known hospitality training ‘guru’, Simon Scarborough, who has 25+ years’ experience in hotel management and is particularly skilled at matching participants to suitable positions.
The programme has three start dates per year: 16 March 2020; 15 Jun 2020; 2 November 2020 designed to coincide with particularly busy periods in the town.
Bournemouth is one of the fastest-growing towns on the south coast and one of the UK’s premium holiday destinations attracting over 4 million visitors a year. The town is known for its quality of its hotel provision, conference facilities and vibrant events and music scene. The town is home to over 250 hotels and guest houses to cater for the influx of visitors. There is no shortage of work!
The ideal candidate profile is 17 – 35 years. The programme is available to EEA and Swiss nationals, or Youth Mobility Scheme Visa holders (Tier 5). Minimum entry level is Intermediate (B1) for all positions except Receptionist (Upper-Intermediate, B2).
Please do get in touch if you have any questions or would like to know more! We look forward to welcoming our first cohort of students to Bournemouth soon.