News: Our Catering Team open their doors to Springboard for an Industry Day!
Nottingham College and the Adams Catering team partnered with Springboard to host an Industry Day event for candidates looking for employment. Participants were taught practical and theoretical skills like tailoring CV’s, food safety, barista skills and preparing food!
Springboard is a UK based charity working with people hoping to get back into work within the hospitality sector. They provide careers resources and advice, Education and Employability training programmes to individuals through different courses and experiences. We partnered up with Springboard to facilitate an Industry Day event, allowing candidates to gain an insight into working as a Nottingham College employee in the catering team or similar roles.
To introduce a range of skills, our Catering & Commercial Services Manager, Mel McKechnie, the wider catering team, and Mark Johnson facilitated a day for individuals filled with a range of activities, covering different aspects of a role in the catering industry.
The day consisted of an introduction talk explaining what is required from a Nottingham College catering employee, along with looking at job specifications and understanding how to tailor a CV for a specific application. They then moved onto practical skills such as food safety and handling, with workshops on how to make some of our bestsellers in the refectories like cupcakes, soups, and sandwiches.
Mark Johnson, who organised the event said:
I’ve worked with Springboard for a couple of years now and have always been inspired by their work so when I found out there was a chance for Nottingham College to get involved, I was really pleased. I got in touch with Mel to create this day which has been a great success.
Mark Johnson — Strategic Business Partner at Nottingham College
Mel McKechnie, who facilitated the event said:
When I heard about the opportunity to work with Springboard, I thought it was a really great opportunity for us to help. As an organisation that works towards getting people back into work, we planned a day that would be interesting and engaging for people to gain the skills and knowledge they need for future careers in catering.
Mel McKechnie — Catering & Commercial Services Manager at Nottingham College
Sarah Browning who has been working with the group at Springboard said:
Our candidates can sometimes be quiet and reserved but the activities planned have really brought them out of their shells. Everything they’ve learnt and the hands-on skills have been invaluable experience that you don’t get everywhere, so thank you to Nottingham College for this event.
Sarah Browning — Programme Delivery Manager at Springboard
We also spoke with some of the participants from the day about how they found the opportunity and what they enjoyed.
Owen Blair said:
I think it was great the way Mel taught us. She gave us a job application and told us what she’s looking for in a member of staff. It’s great she’s taken the time to show us it’s possible to get a job here.
Owen Blair — Springboard Candidate
Hamish Alexander said:
I enjoyed learning the specific skills related to the kitchen and catering. I’ve learnt a wide range of practical skills that I can adapt to lots of different workplaces and opportunities.
Hamish Alexander — Springboard Candidate
Scott said:
I enjoyed hearing about different jobs and interview processes, along with learning how to use a coffee machine and ice cupcakes.
Scott — Springboard Candidate
Published on:
- 20th July 2023 (1:15 PM)
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