Hospitality and catering students transform into apprentices as they go InterContinental

: Created: 28 February 2019

Emily Scothern, and Billy Bingham will be starting their new positions at the five-star hotel in Greenwich next week after studying for the Catering (Culinary Skills) Level 2 Certificate/Diploma in our Hospitality, Food and Enterprise Career College based in Orpington.

Emily, 17, from Bromley, and Billy, 17, from Sidcup have studied professional cookery, as well as front-of-house and restaurant management as part of their extensive training at the College’s student-led BR6 Restaurant and Bakehouse for the past 18 months. Now, filled with confidence and ambition, they will begin their level 3 apprenticeships with the prestigious hotel giant and work towards achieving full-time, permanent positions during the year-long training and work experience programme.

Both students have spent the past month working hard to complete exams in a number of different disciplines before departing the College. This week they will join their fellow students at the Blueprint Café to take part in a major challenge to take over the running of its lunchtime service in what they see as a major test of their skills and adaptability.

“This will certainly test our nerve and abilities to the max,” said Emily, “I’m treating it as an initiation into the frantic world of the hospitality industry.

“At BR6, I have been able to cook for and serve real clients and I’ve learnt lots about providing excellent customer service and care. Now, I will be required to use my skills, work quickly and operate in an environment that caters for clients that pay for the very best.

“I would say that right now I’m nervous but ready and raring to go. The InterContinental can provide excellent opportunities to travel to faraway places and work in some of the world’s most glamorous locations.”

Looking forward to his first shift, Billy is very grateful to the College for helping him into his first real job. He said: “Without the experience I’ve gained here, I doubt I would have been ready for this. I hope one day to become a restaurant manager in a five-star London hotel and I’ve had the best possible start. Next week I reach step two on my ladder to achieving my ambition and I’m very excited indeed.

“The hands-on approach to learning is brilliant and will suit so many young people who may have become despondent and unmoved by classroom teaching. On this course, we are half on course and half at work and it has worked brilliantly for me. I guess I will get to do the same on my apprenticeship but with lots more emphasis on the work duties. I have no doubt it will get pretty intense at times but that’s what I like about this sector – I really think that Emily and I have been very lucky to get to work in such a high-profile establishment in one of the best locations in London. Exciting times are ahead!”

If you think you have what it takes to become a professional chef/front of house specialist and build a successful career in the hospitality and catering industries, we’d like to hear from you. We have a great range of courses to get you started. Come along to one of our Open Events.

In the news: D&D London launches initiative to bring young people into hospitality (Imbibe.com)