447A2085
28 June 2022

Edinburgh College teams up with EICC to run hospitality takeover event for local secondary school pupils

Local secondary school pupils learned what it takes to become the cream of the crop in the hospitality industry at an event held in Edinburgh’s EICC yesterday (Monday 27 June).

Staff from the College’s Hospitality and Professional Cookery department teamed up with the EICC to welcome 100 third year high school children from schools across Edinburgh and the Lothians for the event.

School pupils were split into groups and had the opportunity to listen to talks from industry experts and take part in workshops to learn more about events and hospitality and about the career opportunities available in the industry.

Industry specialists featuring on the day included EICC’s catering partner Leith’s, owned by global food services company Compass Group, US-headquartered Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Archerfield in East Lothian, Dakota Hotels, and Dima Recruitment Services.

The participating schools were Gracemount, Queensferry, Castlebrae, Leith Academy, St Augustine and Thomas, Howden Hall and Kaimes School. 

Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “We are delighted that our College is working in partnership with important employers like the EICC to deliver events like this to showcase the many career opportunities within the hospitality sector to school pupils from across our region - ensuring that together we provide a pipeline of skilled workers for years to come.”

EICC Chief Executive Marshall Dallas said: “Scotland has a real shortage of people joining the hospitality industry, so we want to make a positive impression on these young people when they are starting to think about their future careers.  Tourism, including business tourism, will suffer in the years to come if we don’t spend time now encouraging a new generation of talent into the industry.”