Work experience sparks catering ambition for EKC Broadstairs College students

Gaining hands-on experience in a real working environment can be the spark that shapes a young person’s future and for two students, that spark has led to a clear pathway into a career in catering.

The Yarrow is a four-star training hotel in Broadstairs and part of East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) – a family of six further education colleges and nine adult training centres in Kent.

The hotel offers work experience to a variety of students studying hospitality, business, catering, beauty therapy, and more, at EKC Broadstairs College, but also students in years 10 and 11 at local secondary schools.

Watch the video to hear from Caine and Jordy about their work experience

This work experience is an exciting opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience at a real business.

Caine Hawkesford did his first week of work experience at The Yarrow when he was studying at Royal Harbour Academy in Ramsgate.

During Year 10, he worked in the kitchens for one week, gaining an insight into how a professional kitchen runs and learning new skills.

This experience inspired him to enrol on the Level 2 Catering course at EKC Broadstairs College.

“My teachers at school were really encouraging and my catering teacher got in touch with The Yarrow to organise my work experience in Year 10,” Caine explained.

“It was really inspiring because it’s a professional kitchen and you’re being taught by professionals.

“I worked with other students to complete tasks like showing our teachers cutting methods.

“I really enjoyed cheffing before and this work experience motivated me to carry on to apply for the Level 2 Catering course at EKC Broadstairs College. I’m looking to do my Level 3 next.”

Caine is currently in the first year of his course and has been back to The Yarrow kitchens to do more work experience.

“It’s a really useful skill to have and to be able to tell business when I’m looking for a job in the future,” he said.

“You get a really unique experience and it’s really fun. The experience is also really helpful for when I go back to the classroom. Communication is really important so that has been built up too.

“If you get experience in a proper kitchen, how it runs, it really helps for next steps.”

Meanwhile, Jordy Beach also did work experience at The Yarrow when he was a student at the Charles Dickens School.

He said: “I approached the Yarrow for work experience as I knew it would be a great place to work where you’re surrounded by experienced staff.

“During my work experience, I joined in on a few dinner services where you see how the whole kitchen runs and how many tickets are coming through. You have to work in a really methodical order. It was a lot to take in at first but was worth it.”

Following this, he was also inspired to join EKC Broadstairs College and study Catering.

“It gave me a lot of confidence, and I got a bit of a head start so I was thinking I could use my skills if I went into College. I think it really helped me on my way,” Jordy added.

“It’s a brilliant place to work. You’ve got some of the best chefs here who have been in the industry for many years. They’re really supportive and go through stuff with you if you don’t understand it.”

Over the past year, The Yarrow has supported students from a wide range of schools, including Royal Harbour School, Charles Dickens School, King Ethelbert School, Whitstable School, St. Edmund’s School, Dane Court, Chartham and Clarendon, and Bishop Challoner in the London Borough of Bromley.

Janka Billington, Student Progression Manager at The Yarrow, said: “Placing students within our industry can be challenging.

“The Yarrow provides an exceptional range of opportunities that allow students to gain their first experience in a nurturing and supportive environment, with the hope of inspiring them to continue their journey and eventually join an EKC Group College to further develop their skills and passion.”

Lee Osborn, Group Director of Commercial Hospitality, added: “Providing work experience for secondary school students is a key part of what we do at The Yarrow.

“It allows young people to see first-hand how the industry operates and, as in Caine’s case, can play a real role in shaping their ambitions and encouraging them to take the next steps into further education and training.”