Students check-in for work experience

Hotels across Newcastle and Gateshead have been welcoming business and tourism students through their doors for valuable work experience.

The Ramada Encore and Leonardo Hotel on Gateshead’s Quayside as well as the Leonardo, Maldron and Crowne Plaza in Newcastle have all given our students an insight into working in the hospitality sector.

20 students from the travel and business management courses got hands on in a number of different areas including reception, housekeeping, food and beverage and events. Anna Wadcock, General Manager at the Maldron Hotel in Newcastle said: “The team and I from the Maldron Hotel Newcastle are delighted to be working with Gateshead College and their travel & tourism students.

“Through this partnership we are offering valuable on the job training in a variety of different departments over the duration of their course. The experience that the students gain not only assists their future employability, but also helps to build their confidence working with different people in a busy hotel environment in a supported manner.”

“As their confidence grows then they also offer some great support to the team on shifts assisting the operation, and those that really shine through this process will be invited to apply for any of our vacant roles within the hotel. They are also able to see how we as a company support and develop our teams, creating not just jobs but careers for life.”

Vicky Cross, Head of Department for Business and Travel at the college said: “Our students have not only really enjoyed their work experience placements but they’ve also so learnt so much about working in the travel and hospitality sector. They’ve been able to get hands-on experience in a range of different roles and have done themselves proud.

“We are so lucky to have the support of the hotels who have given our students the chance to put what they’ve learnt in the classroom into action. The students have also developed their interpersonal and communications skills and it’s been wonderful to see their self-confidence grow as a result the placements. All of the hotel staff have been brilliant mentors to the students and I’d like to say a big thank you to them for their support.”