‘Employer champions' sign up for new hospitality diploma

A number of "employer champions" for the forthcoming 14-19 diploma for hospitality were named at an event at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club's White Hart Lane stadium this week.

The diploma, which launches in September, will act as a practical alternative to GCSEs and A-levels providing students with the opportunity to learn about the industry. It will have a heavy reliance on work-related learning and an emphasis on work experience.

At this week's event, hosted by sector skills council People 1st and the Diploma Employers Champions Network (DECN), a number of industry representatives committed to supporting the diploma.

These included the Grant Cromwell, chief operating officer of Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, Carol Harwood, training and standards manager at Hertfordshire Catering, and Marios Poumpouris, managing director at catering equipment company Chiller Box

Harwood said: "The Diploma in Hospitality offers an opportunity to fill the succession gap and will allow future employers to employ people with a real feeling for food. Young people who want to learn to cook will have the opportunity to do so in a professional environment and with the help of employers."

Poumpouris added: "It's a great alternative for those that don't want to follow the route of A-levels and GCSEs. I'm really proud to be part of the Diplomas in Hospitality and a Diploma champion and being part of an initiative which will greatly enhance the training and skills within the hospitality sector."

The event included presentations from Anthony Mann, head of employer engagement at the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Heather Taylor, Diploma in Hospitality project manager at People 1st and Michael Gray, general manager of the Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill.

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By Daniel Thomas

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