The Professional Association for Catering Education (PACE) and the British Hospitality Association (BHA) have joined forces for the PACE Learning & Development Forum 2015.
Taking place on 12-13 March 2015 at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, the PACE Learning & Development Forum will feature the BHA’s Big Hospitality Conversation and bring together hospitality employers, lecturers and heads of hospitality, and students with a common progressive goal.
Big Hospitality Conversation
The core objective of the Big Hospitality Conversation is to encourage hospitality employers to pledge their commitment to work placements, apprenticeships and employment for 16-24 year olds.
This complements PACE’s ongoing work to raise the profile of the plethora of exciting hospitality job opportunities and build mutually-beneficial links between industry employers and colleges.
The collaboration between PACE and the BHA will enable hospitality educators, employers, students and those looking for work to be part of the important discussion and process that the Big Hospitality Conversation offers. Delegates at the PACE Learning & Development Forum will automatically be eligible to attend the Big Hospitality Conversation on Thursday 12th March 3pm -5pm.
Geoff Booth, National Chair, PACE, comments: “The Big Hospitality Conversation is a fantastic addition to the 2015 PACE Learning & Development Forum and we are thrilled to be working with the BHA. This really is a great opportunity for hospitality lecturers and heads of hospitality to learn more about the Big Hospitality Conversation movement and lend their support.
Raising the profile of the UK Hospitality sector
“PACE is dedicated to continuing to raise the profile of the UK Hospitality sector as an exciting and viable career option, and highlighting the diverse range of job opportunities. We wholeheartedly champion partnership between colleges and employers to facilitate progressive work experience placements and structured traineeships, as well as apprenticeships and employment on graduation. The Big Hospitality Conversation will enable us to further this cause.
“This is an excellent platform for all parties to meet and discuss how colleges and employers can work together for the benefit of the next generation of hospitality professionals and, of course, the future of the industry.”
2015 PACE Learning & Development Forum
The only UK forum dedicated to schools, colleges and universities offering culinary and hospitality courses, the 2015 PACE Learning & Development Forum is the best practice benchmark for all hospitality and culinary education professionals and associated organisations.
The relevant programme of workshops, and respected speakers focuses on the latest topics, trends, teaching advances, government legislation and funding developments affecting the sector. Delegates will also have the opportunity to gain CPD points.
Confirmed speakers and presenters include; Ainsley Cheetham, funding consultant; Sara Challinor, director of Mooreskills Ltd; Gerry Shurman, consultant, College of Hospitality, Food and Enterprise; and Martin-Christian Kent, research and policy director, People 1st.
2015 forum topics include:
- Funding
- Raising the school leaving age – the impacts on you
- Successful imbedding of GCSE Maths and English a year on
- Commercial activities in colleges
- Apprenticeships and traineeships – the impact of trailblazers
- Use of technology in colleges
- The 21st century catering student
- Bid writing
- Working with referral agencies
- HE in FE – the next steps
- Nutrition legislation in the commercial kitchen
- Ofsted update – getting to “Good” and beyond
PACE Awards 2015
The forum is home to the annual PACE Awards Dinner. On the evening of Friday 13 March, hospitality and culinary education professionals will recognise and celebrate excellence in the field. Individuals, departments, schools, colleges and partnerships that have made an exceptional contribution will be honoured.
Awards categories being contested include Partnership with Industry Award, Best Chef Lecturer, Best Hospitality Lecturer, Best Restaurant Service Lecturer and Award for Environmental Sustainability. Nominations are now open with a deadline of 2 February 2015.
For more information about the PACE Learning & Development Forum 2015 and the PACE Awards 2015 click here or follow on twitter @PACEUK #PACE2015