The first year of Warwick Conferences’ apprentice scheme has drawn to a successful close with all five apprentices either in full-time permanent positions or in the final interview stages for careers in the hospitality and events industry.
Two of last year’s apprentices—Sam Bagworth, 18 and Lewis Woodcock, 22—both successfully applied for posts within Coventry- and Warwickshire-based Warwick Conferences following their apprenticeship. Since graduating, Sam, from Kenilworth, has taken on a full-time permanent role within Conference Park, while Lewis, from Coventry, has been appointed as Junior Chef du Partie at the Scarman venue.
Sam comments: “My time at Warwick Conferences has definitely provided me with an invaluable insight into the meeting and conferencing industry.
“The varied and relevant experience that I have gained over the past year is testament to the quality of the scheme on offer. I now feel prepared and excited about beginning my career at Warwick Conferences.”
The five apprentices from the 2012/2013 cohort celebrated their success at a special graduation dinner hosted by Warwick Conferences at the end of August.
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This month, the scheme will welcome a group of six new starters for the second year—all of whom were selected from around 80 applicants following an assessment day and panel interviews with Warwick staff.
Three of the chosen applicants for 2013/14 will undertake a chef apprenticeship working with the centres’ award-winning menus, while three will rotate around each department of the business, including housekeeping, reception, restaurant, conference assistance and kitchen.
Richard Harrison, General Manager at Warwick Conferences’ Scarman venue, comments: “We are delighted to see that the first year of the apprentice scheme has been such a success and how our first participants have risen to the challenge.
“Apprentices are absolutely essential to the growth of the meetings and conferences industry, and Warwick Conferences is dedicated to nurturing and encouraging its future talent.
“It is therefore paramount that our apprentice scheme provides a comprehensive and applicable training programme to ensure that our apprentices graduate stood in good stead for their futures – and for the future of the industry.
“We wish our first apprentices the very best of luck in their careers, and look forward to welcoming the next group of six participants on board in September.”
Participants in the apprenticeship—partnered with Stratford-upon-Avon college—spend four days a week gaining valuable hands-on experience at Warwick Conferences’ facilities, and one day a week working towards an NVQ at Stratford college.
Each apprentice also receives a mentor from their department and is encouraged to attend regular meetings and skills workshops to ensure their employability is maximised by the time they complete the scheme. Warwick Conferences further supports the apprentices by providing them with a network of contacts to build on in their future careers.
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