About the programme

 

 

Galvin's Chance is an into-work programme for disadvantaged 18-24 year olds. The 2010 programme starts in September. There are several stages to the programme which combine to give the apprentices the skills and opportunities to gain employment in the hospitality industry. These are:

 

Hospitality Showcase and Recruitment Event: This gives the young people an opportunity to get a feel for the programme and to go forward for selection through a series of activities and an interview with the panel. Employers are present as well as those in the hospitality industry.

 

Two week Pre-employment Training: This intensive course provides apprentices with all the information and training needed to start a placement in the hospitality industry. The programme covers areas such as employer expectations and customer service and will result in vocational qualifications in Food Hygiene and Health and Safety. For more information on the course please read the below Q&A with Jemmelle Griffith, who ran last year's courses for the Springboard Charity.

 

Two Week Work Placement: The placement is a crucial stage of the process, giving the apprentices first hand experience in a Front of House role. They develop customer facing and team working skills as well as being forced to use their initiative in real life work situations. The placement includes a guaranteed interview for suitable employment.

 

Courses at Westminster Kingsway College: Westminster Kingsway College has the reputation of being the best Hospitality and Catering College in the UK. Participants on the programme have the opportunity to gain skills in specialist elements such as Mixology and barista skills. There will be an option to gain a City and Guilds Food and Drink Service Apprenticeship - Level 2

 

Please note: Individuals for consideration to Galvin's Chance are referred by third party agencies and then selected to attend the Showcase and Recruitment Event.

 

 

Above- some of 2009's apprentices at the
Hospitality Showcase and Recruitment event

 

 

Q&A with Jemmelle Griffith,
Former Head of Into Work Programmes, The Springboard Charity, December 2009:

Jemmelle ran the pre-employment training programme for the first two groups of ten Galvin’s Chance apprentices. Over the two weeks the young people cover hospitality related topics including basic job skills, motivation, career guidance, customer care and food safety.

 

What does the pre-employment training course involve and what are the main goals of the two weeks?

One of the main goals is for young people to get used to being in a ‘routine’ as for many of them they will not have this. The course hours of attendance are very set (Monday- Friday 10-4pm). With Springboard being a charity very focussed on hospitality, we ensure that every element of the course can be linked back to this.

During the course we cover modules such as Work Ethics, Time Management, Customer Care, Cash Handling, Team Building, Communication Skills, Motivation, Confidence and Assertiveness to name a few. I am sure you will agree that these are all elements which are core to being a valued and effective employee in the industry.

To what extent can you prepare for a career in hospitality in just a two week time-frame?

To a very great extent I would say. As mentioned above we cover a lot during the 2 weeks of the course. We have fantastic established relationships with our business partners and they have been an integral part of the pre employment training. We were fortunate enough to have Moun Idriss from Hilton Hotels deliver to the group their corporate induction which covered the expectations and values of the Hilton group before the students began their placements there.

 

What characteristics does it take for the students to be successful on the Galvin’s Chance project?

You have to be prepared for change and willing to give yourself a chance. In life no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes, this is what makes us human. Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves and this can make it difficult to accept the help that is being offered.

You also have to have some level of commitment; commitment to completing the programme, a commitment to having some input to the programme and most of all a commitment not to give up on yourself.

 

How did the apprentices cope with the course? Were any elements particularly challenging?

Most of the apprentices coped very well with the course, for some the most challenging element was getting out of bed, whilst for others it was allowing others to speak and actively listen to them. We had great feedback from all the apprentices with some of them saying that they thought it would be more challenging! This is refreshing to hear.

 

What did people most enjoy about their training?

Tasks where they could work together as a team, especially if this meant that they could either ‘win’ or create something. This was great to see as the students have such great ideas which would be fantastic if they could become a reality. It was also good to see such competitive spirit amongst them.

 

What were the personal highlights for you from the course?

My personal highlights from the course have to be seeing the amount of trust and respect that the students invested in me, seeing them change before your very eyes especially how they treated each other and more so how they would encourage and offer words of support to each other. Throughout the training you could see their enthusiasm and passion grow which was absolutely fantastic. Really there were not any bad parts.

 

What support does Springboard offer the students after the pre-employment course has finished?

Springboard has kept in regular contact with all of the students after the pre employment course and after they completed their work placements. Quite a few of the students have had job interviews and we have been supporting them with this. Our CRM team has been working hard to find appropriate employment for the students with our Business Partners. Alex Rose has also been keen to maintain contact with the students as a mentor.