Scheme offers eight placements at Scottish hotels
HOTEL giant Hilton Worldwide’s search for the future hospitality stars of Scotland is underway.
Launched on the back of its Hilton Scottish Chef Apprenticeship Programme, the new Hilton Apprenticeship Academy will see eight apprentices begin 12-month placements at hotels across Scotland.
The programme, which begins on October 25, covers a range of hospitality roles, including front office, food and beverage service, multi-skilled hospitality service, exercise and fitness, sales and professional cookery.
Participants in the scheme will work towards a level two apprenticeship qualification, said to be the equivalent of five GCSEs.
The apprenticeships are fully funded, including tuition fees, travel expenses and a salary for participants during the programme.
Ben Bengougam, vice president of human resources in Europe for Hilton Worldwide, said: “Hilton Worldwide is committed to raising the profile of hospitality as a long-term career option and the success of our apprenticeship schemes demonstrate the value of skills-based training in preparing young people for the workplace.
“We have seen this first hand in Scotland through the Hilton Scottish Chef Apprenticeship Programme we have been running to date, and are delighted to be expanding the opportunities available to young people through the Hilton Apprenticeship Programme this year.”
The new initiative was launched on the back of Hilton’s chef apprenticeship scheme, which is said to have trained 25 young Scottish chefs in the last three years.
Hilton said all 12 graduates from this year’s chef apprenticeship scheme secured full-time positions with the company, including Scottish Chef Apprentice of the Year, 16 year old Donald MacKinnon, who is now a commis chef at Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow City Centre.
“I’ve always enjoyed cooking and I’m glad it will now be a full-time job for me,” said MacKinnon.
