Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants has joined forces with youth charity The Prince’s Trust, to pilot the ‘Get into Hospitality’ programme in the West Midlands aimed at improving employment prospects of disadvantaged young people.

Twelve unemployed young people aged between 16-25 years have enrolled on the two-week training this week, and will learn all aspects of the hospitality sector.

The training involves support and training at Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants ‘Skills Academy’ in areas such as self-confidence and interpersonal skills, as well as site placements, which will provide a first-hand experience of the hospitality industry and practise their new found skills.

Attendees will gain a qualification in Foundation Food safety, as well as a six-month mentoring support from The Prince’s Trust following the completion of the programme.

Whitbread hopes to offer positions to many of the participants and the successful participants will be given the opportunity to complete a Whitbread apprenticeship, including an NVQ level 2.