How to make a difference to the long term unemployed.

The Beach Hotel has hosted the first course for the new Hospitality and Pre-employment Academy. This is collaboration between YMCA Somerset Coasts Beach Hotel, Job centre plus, Acacia Training, West Somerset Council and Butlins. The initiative focuses on giving people new skills to find employment in the growing hospitality and catering sector.

The course was attended by six local people who were on the long term unemployed register. Over two weeks they received training in kitchen health and safety, food hygiene, food preparation and cooking in addition to interview techniques and CV writing.

The course finished with the trainees producing an evening meal, served at the Beach Hotel Restaurant to friends, families and industry representatives. Head Chef Paul Ruttledge said “We were very impressed with the way the group bonded and learnt to work together under pressure. They were very professional in their attitude and behaviour and the food they produced was of a very high standard.”

“The best news came at the end of the course though. Butlins Head Chef Werner Hartholt announced that three course members were being offered jobs at Butlins and a forth was under consideration. Of the two remaining members, one is moving out of the region and the other has health limitations. We are so pleased with their achievement and the difference our collaboration has now proved we can make to these people’s lives.”