MINT, the employment service for 16-25 year olds run by City College Norwich, has celebrated the achievements of the latest group of young people to complete its Hospitality Pre-Employment Project.
Eight young people recently completed the 12-week course, which combines training in core areas such as food hygiene, work experience with local employers, and support with finding and applying for jobs.
The group all came to MINT with the aim of developing their employability skills and gaining relevant experiences that can help them secure jobs in hospitality and catering.
By the end of the course all eight had greatly enhanced their job prospects through new skills, qualifications and successful work placements in a variety of restaurants and kitchens.
Four have already been successful in securing jobs in hospitality – and MINT’s Job Coaches will continue to provide help and support to those still seeking the right job opportunity.
These latest successful outcomes mean that MINT has helped 17 young people secure jobs within hospitality in the last year alone.
Local hospitality employers have been indispensable to MINT’s success in preparing young people for jobs in the sector.
Zaks, Logans, Costa Coffee (Nelson Hotel), The Norwich Castle Café, Starbucks Riverside (23-5 Degrees), The Norwich Hotel and Norse’s Ellacombe Care Home all provided the young people with invaluable work experience.
Further support for the Hospitality Pre-Employment Project has been provided by Mercure Hotel, Barnham Broom, The Broads Authority, Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club, Prosper Recruitment, The British Red Cross, The Millennium Library and Intu Chapelfield Shopping Centre.
Chloe Pitman, 19, from North Walsham, said: “The work experience has been helpful. I worked at Logans doing pot wash, serving food, making drinks. We’ve also done cooking competitions, we looked around the Mercure Hotel and Sprowston Manor, we’ve done mock interviews.”
Anderton Chigoneka, 21, from Norwich, commented: “I’ve really enjoyed the course. The mock interviews were the most useful part because it’s given me more confidence in doing job interviews. I’d like to get a Kitchen Porter or Commis Chef job, something in the kitchen. The MINT staff are very nice people, they’ve helped me a lot.”
Rita Allison, 24, from Norwich, added: “This course has helped me to grow my confidence in this sort of industry. It’s been really helpful and really good. MINT’s been really supportive. I’ve gained skills and confidence, a lot of things.”
The team at MINT are always keen to hear from local employers with hospitality vacancies, as well as those able to offer work experience to enthusiastic young people looking to work in the sector.
For more information please contact MINT on 01603 773760 or [email protected].