HALO shows no sign of slipping

HALO hospitality students kicked off the scheme’s 10th year by grilling businesses at the Marsham Court Hotel.

HALO stands for Hospitality and Leisure Opportunities and was founded in 2007 by the ex-Bournemouth hotelier Derek Silk,*BAHA (Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association) and four secondary schools, to encourage students to enter careers in local tourism.

The first scheme of its kind in the country, hundreds of HALO students have since gone on to complete the two-year, school-based course and enter successful careers, including chef roles at Buckingham Palace and the Ritz hotel in London.

Sam Keep, a HALO tutor at Twynham School, said: “HALO gives year 10 students a combination of school study, workshops and work experience placements.

“The course is a BTEC level 2, which is equivalent to one GCSE (grade A-C) and provides an excellent foundation for students wishing to enter work, apprenticeships or further education.”

The Marsham Court Hotel in Russell-Cotes Road, Bournemouth, is a long-term supporter of HALO and along with other hotels offers regular work experience to students.

On January 23 the hotel hosted a products and services workshop for course students from both Twynham and The Grange School in Christchurch.

Sally Rowe, the chair of HALO, said: “The calibre of HALO students is improving every year and that is partly due to workshops like these, which show students what it’s really to work in hospitality.”

Recruiters from Poole and Bournemouth-based TeamJobs, which places hundreds of people in hospitality jobs each month, were taking part for the first time.

TeamJobs’ Rachel Wilson, said: “It was really interesting to talk to the students about how diverse hospitality can be and they had lots of interesting questions.

“We place people in roles ranging from kitchen porters and bar staff, to chefs, restaurant managers, operations managers and hotel managers.

“Hospitality is a key industry on the south coast and these students have a valuable part to play in its future.”

Other organisations taking part in the workshop included Harvest Fine Foods, Captain’s Club Hotel & Spa, Bournemouth & Poole College and Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa

HALO would like to hear from other secondary schools in Dorset and Hampshire which teach BTEC Hospitality and are interested in joining HALO. For more information email: sally.rowe@thegrangeschool.com

www.marshamcourthotel.co.uk

(*Now the Bournemouth Accommodation & Hotel Association)