Bromley College of Further and Higher Education in South East London will be opening its innovative Career College in Hospitality, Food and Enterprise to 14-19 year olds this week, having been given full approval by the Career Colleges Trust.
The exciting venture is backed by a high profile team of industry advisors, including representatives from the Hilton, Hyatt, the Dorchester Group and Springboard UK . Additionally, TV chefs, Chris and James Tanner are celebrity patrons for the Career College.
The advisory team have helped design the curriculum of the Career College and will very much be part of the delivery – offering relevant work experience, placements and mentoring to students.
About Career Colleges
Bromley’s new Career College will join Oldham’s Digital and Creative Career College and Hugh Baird’s Hospitality and Catering Career College – which were approved by the Trust in June and also opening to students this month. A further five Career Colleges are expected to be approved later this year, with openings planned for 2015.
Career Colleges, launched by Lord Baker in October 2013, are a new innovation in employer-led education. They take advantage of the Government’s decision to allow FE colleges to recruit at 14 – increasing the range and choice of opportunities for 14-19 year olds. A Career College provides the opportunity to combine academic and vocational studies within a specific industry specialism, improving career prospects for young people in the local labour market.
Each Career College is supported by employers, who will help design and deliver the curriculum. Alongside rigorous academic teaching in maths, English and other core subjects, Career Colleges will offer ‘real-world’ challenges, coupled with work experience – enabling students to develop their wider employability skills.
Substantial support from top names – for the very best
Chairman of the Career Colleges Trust, Luke Johnson, says:
“Bromley’s new Hospitality, Food and Enterprise Career College is an extremely exciting project and has substantial support from top names in the catering and hospitality industry. This is an excellent example of employers joining forces with colleges to provide a fantastic opportunity for 14-19 year olds, ensuring a rounded academic education, whilst learning valuable practical skills and being prepared for the world of work.
“Our Trustees insist that only the very best proposals are accepted – ensuring the highest possible quality at each and every Career College. Any project we support must demonstrate extremely strong employer support and an excellent academic track record, which are both vital for success.
“As a business owner myself, the Career College concept is something I wholly support. Providing young people with the opportunity to develop life-skills and gain practical experience within a specific industry – alongside a rigorous academic education – is essential in today’s world. We are seeing so many skills gaps, yet still have very high youth unemployment.
“I look forward to working with Bromley and am confident they will deliver outstanding, rounded education for their students.”
New industry-standard facilities
Principal of Bromley College of Further and Higher Education, Mrs Sam Parrett, said:
“I am delighted that Bromley College’s Career College in Hospitality, Food and Enterprise has been approved by the Career College Trust. Opening this September, it will introduce a unique and innovative approach to the education of young people to fully prepare them for their future employment in the hospitality industry. Our new industry-standard facilities will include training kitchens, classrooms and a student-run restaurant in Orpington town centre which will offer our students real-life work experience.
“Our Career College is hugely supported by leading industry patrons and partners who will advise and encourage the personal development of our students, which will nurture their employability and entrepreneurial skills. Commercial skills are a key part of the curriculum, responding to the high number of restaurant start-ups and the need for appropriate skills in south east London. “
For more information about Career Colleges click here
The Advisory Board for Bromley’s new Hospitality, Food and Enterprise Career College
Ann Pierce, CEO, Springboard UK
Liz Cave, HR Manager, D & D London
Anna Hansen, CBE, The Modern Pantry
John Scanlon, Hotel Manager, Dorchester Group
Michael Gray, General Manager, Hyatt
Martin Bates, CEO, Craft Guild of Chefs
Tim Buchannan, Policy Manager, People 1st
Martin Price, Chair, Orpington 1st
Alan Pickett, Chef, Plateau Restaurant
Silvano Giraldin, Consultant, The Roux Group
Alison Knight, HR Director, Hilton
Oliver Brown, GM Wivenhoe House, the Edge School
Nick Vadis, UK & Ireland Culinary Director, Compass Group
Adrian Valeriano, Vice President UK Sales and Restaurant Relations, Open Table
Enzo Oliveri, Restaurateur and Chef
Tim Franklin-Heys, Head of Culinary Team, Unilever UK Ltd
Marek Michalski, Governor, Bromley College
Lynn Barratt, Director of Corporate Development, Bromley College
Gerry Shurman, Consultant, Bromley College
Scott Freeman, Head of Career College, Bromley College
Andrew Slade, Vice Principal Curriculum and Quality, Bromley College
The Career Colleges Trust Board
Luke Johnson (Chair)
Chris Jones (C&G – Deputy Chair)
Ruth Gilbert (CEO)
Lord Baker (Edge Foundation – founder member)
Jan Hodges (Edge Foundation – founder member)
Mike Dwan (Helping Hands – founder member)
Terry Flanagan (Helping Hands – founder member)
Charlotte Bosworth (OCR)
David Phillips (Pearson)
Kirstie Donnelly (C&G)
Mark Dawe (OCR)