Students meet top hoteliers ahead of industry placements
Hospitality & Catering, Travel & Tourism and Business students made vital industry connections at the employer event.
Students from The Manchester College’s Industry Excellence Academy for Hospitality & Catering, Industry Excellence Academy for Business and Professional and Centre of Excellence for Travel & Tourism recently met with some of the city’s top hoteliers ahead of their industry placements.
Around 30 students attended the event at the College’s Wythenshawe campus to meet employers, discover what roles are available and find out what to expect on their 45-day placements.
Aaliyah Mussa, a Level 3 Travel & Tourism student, who will be gaining experience as a receptionist at The Lowry Hotel, commented: “I met Adrian from The Lowry today and he was telling us about all the work experience and employment opportunities they’ve got there. As a career, I want to be a hotel manager and my work experience as a receptionist is a stepping-stone towards that.
“I’ve learnt today that there are so many more potential roles than I thought there would be and there is not just one way to get into the industry.
These events are so important because we get to meet top people in the industry and make those connections early.
The event was organised by Hilary Orr, the College’s Employability Engagement Lead, and Adrian Ellis, General Manager of The Lowry Hotel and Chair of The Manchester Hoteliers Association, in response to the post-pandemic staffing shortages across the hospitality sector.
Hilary said: “This is such a great collaboration for our students at The Manchester College, providing them with valuable opportunities to enhance their employability and technical skills and the ability to bring that learning back into their studies, share with peers and importantly use for career progression.”
The hotels and businesses met with students included:
- Lowry Hotel
- Hilton Deansgate
- Radisson Edwardian Hotel
- Victoria & Albert Marriot Hotel
- King Street Townhouse Hotel
- Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
- Cresta Court Hotel
- Hyatt Regency
- Hale Country Spa
- IHG Icon 1.
After the event, Adrian was delighted with the response from both the students and the employers. He said: “Today has gone very well, as all the students have come well-prepared and eager.
I go away very enthused by the fact that I’ve seen some great individuals that really want to work in our industry.
“The hotels here today were very keen to get involved. Most hotels in the city have got vacancies of varying descriptions at the moment, so when I mentioned there’s an opportunity to talk to students from The Manchester College, it was a no brainer for them. People have been thrilled with the outcomes of today and everybody is going back with some great opportunities for the students.
“In the past hoteliers have gone to universities and worked with final year graduates but now, we’re working with colleges and finding younger talent that is looking to this industry for their future. I think it’s also our future, so we’re very excited about what can happen from this opportunity.”
Hilary added: “I have been amazed by the generosity of the Hoteliers taking part in this initiative, and all the partners who currently offer placements within Hospitality & Catering. I cannot thank Adrian Ellis enough for his support and promotion to hoteliers around Manchester and look forward to furthering these partnerships across the sector.
“Our students will be supporting an industry they are keen to progress within and the organisations who attended had an opportunity to work with the next generation of employees. Students attending today got a flavour of the hotels they will be working in, were able to ask questions, find out about the brand and next steps in the process. We are looking to place students in the next couple of weeks and I am really looking forward to following their progress and finding out about their experiences and success.”
Find out more about The Manchester College’s Industry Excellence Academy for Hospitality & Catering, Industry Excellence Academy for Business and Centre of Excellence for Travel & Tourism, and apply today.