There was a Bradford College takeover at the Great Victoria Hotel last Friday, as students chanced their arm at running the reputable establishment for a day.
Level 3 learners from Travel, Aviation, Hospitality & Events were lucky enough to be mentored by industry professionals from Monday to Thursday, taking on board all there is to know about running a successful hotel.
As part of this, students took on various roles in the Bradford-based hotel, from office work to the front desk. Once Friday came around they were then given the chance to oversee the running of the hotel, showcasing their skills learnt to both hotel and College staff.
Hotel General Manager, Daniel Kirkham, had this to say about the efforts of our students: “It’s been a pleasure hosting the hotel takeover for the past week, which has seen ten students shadow ten of my key staff.
“The aim was for students to gain knowledge and practical experience within all key roles in a hotel setting, from management to sales to reception and so on. They’ve been involved in day-to-day workings such as check-ins, taking payments, dealing with queries, running events and many other things.
“All the students that participated have shown commitment, aptitude and professionalism. We’ve seen some real potential in the students and I’m sure many of them would go far in the hotel industry or whatever route they choose.
“My team and I would like to thank the students for all their hard work and we hope they found the experience useful.”
The Great Victoria Hotel itself sits in the middle of Bradford, offering visitors ‘old character in the form of 1800s grandeur’. It’s therefore no surprise that the hotel proved to be the ideal location for students to gain vital real-life work experience to complement their academic College learning.
Karen Lupton, a Placements Administrator based within Work Experience and Industry Placements at Bradford College, said this about the six-month planning involved in delivering this particular project: “Work Experience is a vital part of any course, as it gives students practical experience along with a certificate to prove that they are capable of jobs in their desired industry.
“For the hotel takeover, students had to apply for positions, attend interviews and, of course, undertake their job role in the hours that they were required – whether it was an early breakfast service or late finishing shift.
“We hope this is the start of a great partnership with the Great Victoria Hotel. It gives our students a valuable resource for the future and enables them to receive the skills needed for their desired career.”
If you like the idea of experiencing opportunities like this one, you can check out courses on offer by visiting our website.
Yesterday, a group of Construction learners from Trinity Academy Halifax, supported by Bradford College, spent the day building and installing a brand new sandpit at Bradshaw Primary School, all from recycled materials. Led by Bradford College Construction Lecturer Gareth Bowman, the group worked hands on to design and assemble the sandpit using repurposed wooden pallets. […]
Budding designers at Bradford College are gaining invaluable industry experience as they respond to a live brief set by a leading international employer, challenging them to develop real-world product concepts that meet global market needs. The exciting collaboration is part of the College’s ongoing commitment to providing hands-on learning that prepares students for dynamic careers […]
