Hackney hosts a future in hospitality

HOST, meaning hospitality jobs for Hackney people, aims to have 70 local residents, of all backgrounds, into a wide range of hospitality jobs by the end of the year. The project, which launched at the Hoxton Apprentice training restaurant in Hackney last week, is aimed at three main groups: young people aged 18-24, single parents, and individuals who have been on incapacity benefits for six months or more. The scheme aims to equip these people with the skills, attitudes and abilities that will enable them to build-up successful careers in the industry. Charity 'Training for Life', the Wine and Spirit Education plus Work and Apprenticeships for London Tourism sector (WALTZ) are all lending a hand to the initiative. "There are 210,000 residents in the borough of Hackney. The scheme needs to get 19,000 of these people into work just to reach the London average", explained Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney. Statistics from Ian Ashman, principal of Hackney Community College, also confirmed just how many hospitality jobs the industry needs to fill. Between now and 2012, 78,000 people are needed in London to replace the cooks that have come and gone. There are a total of 60,000 locals in Hackney who are currently not working. HOST offers students a choice of three different courses: The college has two training restaurants; one on the ground floor for the more advanced students and another located on the first floor where the beginners learn their trade. Each student will have a personal coach to support them through their programme, giving them access to advice on subjects including benefits, child care and housing. In addition extra support with languages where needed will be on offer. Jules Pipe explains how HOST will make jobs and people come together: "Employers need people with new and different skills. The jobs are there; the people are there, but they are not just going to come together naturally, and that's why we need projects like HOST. We want to make sure that, with all the opportunities opening up in Hackney, it is local people who are skilled up to take the new local jobs." Anton Edelmann (pictured), who attended the launch and is supporting the project, explained how it is important that hospitality businesses support this kind of idea and encourage people to give themselves a future. The celebrity chef, who has been in the industry for 40 years, often struggles to find staff for himself. HOST believes this kind of project will help job seekers and employers to see a future in hospitality.