Catering course to tackle recruitment issues

A new course has been launched in Cornwall which teaches young people how to work in the catering industry with the aim of tackling recruitment problems.

St Austell Brewery and Cornwall College have come together to provide a course for Year 10 and Year 11 pupils to offer a GCSE-equivalent catering qualification.

David Atkinson-Beaumont, head of the college, said it was important to "invest in young people".

Jon Kelly, early careers manager at the brewery, said it was "massively important".

Although a further education college, under 16-year-old students will attend Cornwall College for the course, which is being held in partnership with and sponsored by St Austell Brewery.

Mr Atkinson-Beaumont said: "Hospitality has suffered for the last 50 years if I'm honest in this country and it's always seemed like a second rate option and I think it's down to hospitality to actually invest in young people and turn that around."

The brewery will offer visits to its venues, demonstrations from chefs and contact with supply chains.

Mr Kelly added: "Our students will go on and have a career if that's what they strive for but it's massively important that we provide the industry with the best quality we can produce."

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