Centres

Whitbread Partnership – Barnardo’s Works Glasgow

Updated: 25/07/2024

Whitbread/Premier Inn and Barnardo’s Works West have teamed up to deliver an employability project which supports care experienced young people, to develop the skills needed to secure work and develop their careers within the hospitality industry.

“I learned all about premier inn employment and development, employee responsibility, employer responsibility and qualities/skills employers looking for”

The aim is to help prepare care experienced young people, aged 16-24, who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). In Scotland there are almost 15,000 children in its ‘care system’, but do not tell these children’s stories. Many have and continue to go through deeply distressing and disturbing experiences that are often severely traumatic. The impact can be profound and lifelong​. The perpetuation of trauma and failure to support healing where children and families are already experiencing poverty and inequality is reflected in poor outcomes for many who have experience of the ‘care system’.​ Children living in 10% most deprived areas of Scotland are 20 more times likely to become care experienced (NHS Scotland, 2022). Some children who have experienced trauma, told the Care Review in 2020 that being taken into care and growing up in the ‘care system’ was among the most traumatising experiences they had ever had. This was further compounded by being separated from their brothers and sisters, living with strangers and moving multiple times. Barnardo’s and Whitbread have identified that promoting employment opportunities within the care experienced community in Scotland can help to not only identify hidden talent, but can provide love and respect to those within this community as well, as part of our commitment to the Promise Scotland.

“My confidence and teamwork skills have improved and I’ve gained some experience and willingness to work harder towards my goals”

The first of several hospitality courses, as part of this employability project, was launched in June 2024. This is a 10-week course which aims to improve confidence, mental and physical health, and skills of young people to enable them to achieve their full potential. Whitbread have funded these pre-employment courses for candidates with the aim of a permanent job at the one of their Premier Inn Glasgow hotels. The programme itself has been designed to develop their communication and teamwork skills, while the young people have been able to identify own skills and qualities, as they prepare for their interviews with Whitbread towards the end of the course. The young people have just started the work placements within the Premier Inn Glasgow hotels and are being mentored by several of the housekeeping teams currently employed by Whitbread.

“I am proud of being able to be myself and making others laugh and feel comfortable”

“There is a lot I need to learn about customer service and there are still ways to improve my skills, my placement will help with that”

Project Worker for Glasgow, Adam Ivanski said: “I have really enjoyed being involved with this project so far. The young people we have attending this course are enthusiastic about the opportunities that have been provided by Whitbread, as part of this project, which has really driven their motivation to succeed. This have really inspired me as an employability worker to help them as much as much I can, to prepare them all for their first steps into employment with Premier Inn and Whitbread.”

Jane Waller, Service Manager, Barnardo’s Works West of Scotland said: “The relationship with Whitbread is a new one and it’s been a pleasure to watch it develop. The staff we have worked with so far have been supportive and understanding of the young people’s needs and I’m looking forward to seeing this develop further in the workplace”

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