Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood was impressed by the work of The Bournemouth & Poole College Tourism and Catering Training Departments on a recent college visit.
Joined by The College’s Head of Hospitality, Tourism and Sport Academy Adrian Martin, Mr. Ellwood toured the kitchens at the Lansdowne Campus and spoke to students helping prepare for the lunch time service in The College’s award-winning Escoffier restaurant.
He was impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the students he met on the tour; “Many of the students I spoke to had not planned a career in catering, but now they have great focus and direction. It’s the type of route the Government wants to encourage.”
“We are determined to encourage a new generation, who may not want to go down the academic path, to pursue a trade, which will lead onto skilled employment or a higher education qualification.”
He said “The skills and enthusiasm imparted to students at The College were a true benefit to Bournemouth” as many of The Bournemouth & Poole College students take up positions within the local tourism and hospitality industries.
The Tourism and Catering Departments are currently riding a wave of success. The World Association of Chefs Societies has given The College’s culinary course an international endorsement and the Tourism department won the Bournemouth Tourism Award for its "Contribution to International Education Excellence" for the second year in succession.
It is also celebrating its Grade 1 status with the highest pass rates in its history.
Adrian Martin said: “The recognition we have received recently is well deserved. We have an outstanding team which has the ability to focus on providing quality education, not only to UK students, but to hundreds of students across the world.”
He added: “There is a shortage of chefs across the UK. In Bournemouth there is great demand for catering and hospitality staff, as we have over 300 hotels on our doorstep.”
