Picture the scene… The signature suite in the 5* Shangri-La Hotel in The Shard – 12 schoolchildren cheering on their classmates as they take part in the Bed-making challenge under the watchful eye of a senior member of the Housekeeping staff.
Well, it was all part of a day in ‘The Vertical City’ brought about by the Cooks and Innholders, the Springboard Charity and some key individuals in The Shard, especially Liveryman Paul Brackley, the General Manager of the hotel and Freeman Anne Pierce of Springboard.
64 schoolchildren from Notre Dame, Southwark, the Charter School, East Dulwich and Dunraven School, Streatham, spent a day getting a first-hand look at possible careers in the hospitality, tourism and catering industries.
They all undertook six activities, which as well as Bed-making, were: Cookery, Cafe Latte Challenge, Mocktail making, attending a Careers Fair with businesses, colleges and training organisations all represented, and a Careers ‘Speed Dating’ event at which the children were able to talk to experts/practitioners (including two Cooks’ apprentice graduates) about their work for 5 minutes before moving on.
The children undoubtedly had a great day (why wouldn’t you on a Monday out of School in such an iconic location?) and their enthusiasm for possible careers in hospitality was noticeably greater at the end than at the beginning. And tellingly, the first request for a work experience opportunity was received by the General Manager of the Hilton Bankside (who had been at the Careers Fair) at 08.00 the next morning!
Success!
Author: Peter Wilkinson
Peter is the Clerk to the Company and a Liveryman.
