Win work experience for a graduate career in hospitality

Students who are considering a career in hospitality, leisure and tourism can win work experience placements with top employers via an online competition organised by People 1st, the sector skills council for the industry.

The competition is hosted on the UKSP website, which is run by People 1st and provides information about careers, jobs and training in hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism.

Video and film production student Shandice Wright won the most recent round and undertook a week’s work experience at The Dorchester hotel in London, where she received training across front of house, kitchen and dining, and events.

Shandice said that the experience had encouraged her to consider a career in the industry. She said, ‘Everyone at The Dorchester is very passionate about their work and knows their role really well. They have provided some great mentoring during the week and have inspired me to go into hospitality.’

Melanie Whitaker, learning and development manager at The Dorchester, said that Shandice had a ‘bright career in front of her’ in the sector. She added, ‘The work experience competition is shining a light on the exciting careers available, not only within The Dorchester, but in hospitality in general.’

The next round of the work experience competition is now open and is offering the winner a chance to win a week’s work experience with the catering company Baxter Storey.

A graduate career with great opportunities for early responsibility

Many students are interested in pursuing a career in management, thought they are not always sure about the industry that they want to work in. The hospitality sector is an attractive option because it offers its graduate recruits the chance to gain face to face management experience at an early stage in their careers. A quarter of managers in the sector are under 30, so it is an area in which it is possible to make your mark soon after graduation.

Management jobs in hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism are expected to increase in the next couple of years. It has been predicted that the sector will need another 34,000 managers in the UK between now and 2017.

Source: Targetjobs.co.uk, Wednesday 13th June 2012