A pre-16 hospitality academy in the South West has welcomed its first cohort.
The Cornwall-based academy has been formed between Cornwall College St Austell, part of The Cornwall College Group and St Austell Brewery. It saw its first group of Year 10 students attend a welcome day at the independent brewer and pub company, which operates an estate of around 180 venues across the region.
Jon Kelley, St Austell Brewery’s early careers manager, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome our first cohort of under 16s onto this GCSE level catering and hospitality course.
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“We are really passionate about working with Cornwall College on this project, with a view to making it easier for these young people to get a good footing in their community, through providing them with lasting experiences and key skills that will improve their employment prospects."
The course has been designed to offer pupils a "head-start" within the hospitality sector and fast track those who want to pursue a career in the sector onto an advanced apprenticeship when they leave school.
Students from local schools enrolled on the programme will benefit from the latest trends, techniques and resources in the catering and hospitality industry, with access to St Austell Brewery’s managed estate of 43 flagship pubs, inns and hotels situated across Devon and Cornwall.
David Atkinson-Beaumont, the head of campus for Cornwall College St Austell and group lead for pre-16 courses, believes that this partnership will not only provide students with a great educational experience but also set them on a path to exciting careers in the hospitality sector.
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Mr Atkinson-Beaumont said: “This programme offers students a tremendous educational experience while also paving the way for exciting and fulfilling careers in the vibrant hospitality sector.”
Mason Sanders, a Year 10 student from Fowey River Academy, added: “This course provides excellent options for my future career. My dream is to own a bakery, I’ve always had a passion for baking. I’m excited about the hands-on cooking and learning more about the industry. I’m really excited about this new course.”