NEWS ARCHIVE
Cornwall College helps unemployed get back to work
Cornwall College Work Skills Training Academy has just delivered a second successful sector-based training course, with all attendees that completed it guaranteed an interview with Premier Inn for positions at their new development in Camborne.
After being approached by Redruth Jobcentre Plus, who had initially been approached by Premier Inn to assist with their recruitment needs locally, the Work Skills Training Academy worked in conjunction with the College's Faculty of Retail & Service Industries to deliver a 10-day training course to local jobseekers with an interest in catering.
It is part of a new scheme to help unemployed people in Cornwall gain the necessary skills to help them get back to work, and also forms part of a wider Government strategy to reduce youth unemployment by offering training, work experience and a guaranteed job interview over the next two years to almost 50,000 people in England through sector-based work academies.
Martin Williams, of Redruth Jobcentre Plus, said: "Sector-based work academies give young people the skills and experience they need to take up jobs in the local area. This scheme has been particularly successful and we're looking forward to continuing this good work with Cornwall College to help even more people into jobs."
The first cohort of 20 students, who enrolled on the scheme through the Jobcentre Plus in Redruth, completed their training at Cornwall College's prestigious Trevenson Restaurant and kitchens, learning new skills in food preparation, cookery, restaurant service and reception and achieving certificates in Health & Safety, Food Hygiene and First Aid. Following them successfully completing the course, they have automatically been guaranteed an interview with Premier Inn for the various positions that will be available at the new hotel and restaurant complex due to open in Camborne next year.
Kelly Goldsworthy from Camborne, who attended this academy, said: "I've enjoyed every single moment but especially the cooking. I've learnt so much and it's going to be so useful to me. I'm aiming to get a job in the hotel industry and my priority is a kitchen-based role."
Aaron Pryor, who also lives in Camborne and successfully completed the course, said: "It's been a brilliant course and I've found it all really useful. I'm actually cooking at home now! I'm hoping I will get a job at Premier Inn but if not then I'm going to sign up to do a catering course here, because I definitely wants to work in this industry."
Steve Roberts, from Cornwall College's Work Skills Training Academy, said: "This course has been really successful and hopefully we can work with Jobcentre Plus and other employers in the future to give more people the opportunity to take part in schemes like this."
Anyone interested in finding out more about the scheme should contact their local Jobcentre or call Cornwall College on 0845 22 32 567.
