This year sees the introduction of a new Catey to recognise achievement in education and training. The award will go to someone who, through his or her actions, guidance and support in this area, has helped strengthen the professionalism of hospitality.
Nominees for the new award might be in-house trainers, college lecturers or part of a charity organisation, but they will all possess creativity and flair, regularly going above and beyond their duties in their pursuit of excellence.
In its Labour Market Review 2002 the Hospitality Training Foundation found that 56.4% of vacancies for hospitality jobs in the UK remained unfilled, and of those employed in the sector one in 10 held no relevant qualification.
In such a competitive employment environment it is crucial that those who forge successful links between education and the business world, or motivate and challenge staff from within, are rightly identified and rewarded for their efforts.
With a climate of declining job applications within and the continuing problem of retaining staff, the importance of people who look after students on a personal level or have their finger on the pulse of their business's needs, cannot be overstated.
"It's long overdue and I welcome it," said Anne Walker, managing director of hospitality careers organisation Springboard UK. "People and skills development is the only way to improve the quality of service we offer and business performance. The award gives us the opportunity to reward the excellent practices that already go on, which all too often go unsung due to their perception as not sexy."
At the Caterer recruitment conference on 27 November, Marie-B‚atrice Lallemand, general manger of the Hilton London Metropole hotel, highlighted the struggle faced by the UK hospitality industry to remain competitive with other countries that have dedicated routes into the sector in place.
"The UK compared to its rivals remains behind," said Lallemand. "In the USA they start them early, and although hospitality training in France is perhaps more vocational than in Germany, the Germans still have a hospitality apprenticeship programme that guarantees each student will speak a second language by the end of the course."
Judges' criteria
The Education and Training Award will go to someone who:
* Has demonstrated an innovative approach to continuous learning with particular regard to the needs of the hospitality industry;
* Has developed strong links with the industry;
* Has developed initiatives in training that have added value;
* Has demonstrated an ability to adapt to the changing needs of the market; and
* Has made a contribution over and above his or her job.
This year's winner will be announced at the Catey Awards on Tuesday 1st July.
Sponsored by: Portfolio International
Sponsors message:
Great careers start with a good education and are enhanced by a strong focus on continuous learning and personal development.
As the company that launched “Lets make it first choice” directed at schools & colleges, a campaign taken on by Springboard UK, who’s UK research into student work placements Portfolio also sponsor, Portfolio are deeply committed to key educational initiatives in this industry. It therefore made very good sense and we are very proud to become the first sponsors of a newly created Catey Award for 2003 dedicated to excellence in education and training.
Portfolio International, founded in 1985, are key, market leading players in the recruitment of professional executives and management across all operations and functions within the broader hotel, catering and leisure industry – supplying key players to top companies in the UK and across the globe.
Our specialist areas of activity include:
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Corporate Appointments |
UK Hotels |
International Hotels & Leisure |
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Restaurants, Bars & Retail |
Leisure & Spas |
Contract Catering & FM |
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Chefs |
Sales & Marketing Finance |
Purchasing & I.T. |
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Human Resources |
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We provide a personalised and individually tailored service that aims to exceed client expectations and are proud of very high levels of repeat custom and a track record of success spanning 18 years in the industry.
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