Hospitality Group launches Training Plan to support 'locals' in securing employment in the hospitality industry
30-Mar-10
?The Jersey Hospitality Association in partnership with Skills Jersey and Careers Jersey are launching a training plan, which will act as a stimulus towards islanders, primarily 16 to 25 year olds, securing seasonal or full time employment in the hospitality industry.
The plan will target those actively seeking work, as well as school leavers, returning students and undergraduates, prioritising local people and assisting them into employment through the provision of skills and training.
The programme funded using money from the States Economic Stimulus programme and devised by the Association, will commence with the JHA holding weekly drop-in information briefings at the Social Security Department two hours per week from February until April, in order to meet with individuals registering an interest in seeking employment in the hospitality industry. Work opportunities will be outlined and job requirements explained in detail to those attending.
The JHA will also involve industry professionals, as appropriate, at these presentations e.g. chefs, restaurant managers, housekeepers, receptionists etc with young people already working in the sector able to explain further details and specifics of job roles, opportunities for advancement and an outline of the general terms and conditions of employment, salary structures and benefits.
Following these presentations interested individuals will be assessed and through the JHA, acting as recruiters, would begin to communicate details of candidates to the hospitality industry to encourage job offers. Individuals, as part of the plan, would undertake a structured training programme, which would cover core hospitality subjects over a 3 day training period, leading to them gaining a certificated learning and training experience as part of an induction process before commencing employment in April/May this year.
The employer would benefit from employing an individual who had been trained in core hospitality skills prior to commencing work as soon as possible after the training programmes are completed and in time for the main Jersey holiday season.
Representing almost four hundred hospitality sector members, JHA President, Robert Jones said “we have devised a very positive training and recruitment initiative, which has been supported by our colleagues at EDD and Careers Jersey. The Stimulus funded programme could see young people finding meaningful employment and making a significant early contribution to a very important sector of our local economy. Our industry also provides young people with great career prospects and opportunities for advancement. At a time when unemployment, particularly for young people, is at the highest levels for some time in Jersey. This timely and targeted programme will help towards providing meaningful job opportunities and incentives for those young people who are actively seeking work”.
Senator Alan Maclean, Minister for Economic Development commented: “I am delighted with this new initiative and congratulate the JHA and Skills Jersey on identifying the need to provide employment opportunities for young local people. It represents an excellent plan to provide them with the necessary basic skills to make a valuable contribution towards the Jersey Hospitality industry. This initiative is another strong example of how Economic Stimulus funding, is being used by States Departments and private sector partners, to support those individuals most affected by the downturn in the Jersey economy.”
NOTES
The Jersey Hospitality Association is an independent trade association that was formed fifty-two years ago to promote the interests of its members who are all involved in the Hospitality, Tourism, Leisure and Travel Industry. As a lobbying and commercial entity, the JHA currently represents around 400 hospitality industry partners including hotels, guest houses, self-catering apartments, campsites, restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, clubs, attractions, food service, tour operators, transport providers, car hire companies, leisure, retail and hospitality sector suppliers.
For further information please contact:
Gerald Fletcher, Chief Executive
Jersey Hospitality Association - T: 721421, E: gerald@jerseyhospitality.com