STUDENTS and Staff at St Helens College are gearing up for Visitor Economy Week in February.
The exciting initiative, which will run from 8th – 11th February sees key Liverpool City Region partners come together to offer primary and secondary school students the chance to find out more about the professional careers and opportunities in our thriving tourism industry.
Combining over 50 different events and activities ‘Visitor Economy Week’ is designed to encourage students to explore the career and job opportunities within the visitor economy by providing a taste of what life can be like working in hospitality, catering, retail, tourism and travel. These events will showcase the variety of opportunities and diverse skills associated with the growing visitor economy sector in the region.
Events being held at St Helens College include cookery demonstrations, the launch of an exciting restaurant wars cook and serve competition, a business breakfast meeting for local employers in the industry to meet, network and share best practice. Colours Restaurant will also host an Alumni Guest Chef Dinner which will see the return of several alumni chefs and waiting on staff who will cook and serve a six course fine dining menu to diners and special guests.
Head of Catering and Travel, Terry Lavin said “The Guest Chef Dinner will showcase just a very small proportion of our successful alumni who have gone on to establish careers with some amazing employers including Michelin starred restaurants, top hotel chains and global companies. They can give a first-hand insight into how successful a career in the Visitor Economy can be and how it opens up opportunities to work around the world.”
Jette Burford, Principal of St Helens College said: “We are very pleased to be taking part in Visitor Economy Week. The events we have planned are sure to be great fun and very informative to students that may be considering their careers options. St Helens College has a long standing Catering, Tourism and Hospitality department which has equipped generations of students with the skills to go on and achieve great success in their professional careers.
“The week is a great opportunity for students to sample new courses and discover potential career options.”
Students are being encouraged to sign up to the website and register for events at www.visitoreconomyweek.co.uk which has a full timetable of events and more information.
This initiative is the first in a series of events that will be staged over the next 12 months to help promote the Visitor Economy as a credible career choice, and raise the profile of the sector.