Almost half (47 per cent) of organisations that employ students and graduates say they intend to increase the number of hires they make in the next 12 months, research has found.
The Institute of Student Employers (ISE) and Handshake survey comes as no surprise to Elite Leisure Collection who believe educating and developing young talent is crucial to a successful workforce and are keen to help foster the talents of graduates, apprentices and passionate individuals.
ELC, formerly known as Markerstudy Leisure, is an independently-owned group of companies that includes One Warwick Park Hotel, Salomons Estate, Bewl Water and One Media UK, publisher of the Times.
Employers like ELC play a pivotal role in the future of young talent, and with a nation-wide skills shortage, the group is committed to tackling this problem.
“We want to give young people the opportunity to build a long-term career in an industry they love,” said Daniel Yardley, head chef at Salomons Estate.
With a shared ambition to revitalise their local hospitality sector, the committed and motivated team across the group explain that employment numbers across the industry are still slowly recovering from the pandemic.
And, with youth unemployment continuing to escalate, there is no better time to invest in such an eager generation.
“We want to give young people the opportunity to build a long-term career in an industry they love”
Jessica Porter, 20, from East Sussex, started her digital marketing apprenticeship with ELC in August 2021, where she began to build her portfolio.
With hands-on experience, onsite lessons and dedicated study time, the scheme has allowed her to not only acquire valuable skills and real-world experience, but benefit from wraparound support in further education as she retakes her maths exam.
“My apprenticeship has not only given me a career path, but life skills that have developed me as a person,” she said.
Jessica is four months away from obtaining her qualification and is set to receive a full-time position. The company has also recently appointed Elana van Leeuwen (pictured above).
The door is never closed when it comes to growth, according to Terry Antoine, who was previously food and beverage supervisor and is now an IT apprentice, stressing the support he has received.
“I was looking for a new opportunity in a slightly different career path but because of my history at Elite Leisure Collection and my love for the company I wanted to stay, so you can imagine how overjoyed I was when I heard about the availability of an IT apprenticeship here at Salomons Estate,” said Terry.
“Everyone deemed me capable to make the leap and become the next IT member. Despite being sad to see me leave, even my manager was incredibly supportive with my next venture.”
Apprenticeships are not the only path available. ELC is actively encouraging graduates, students, and those wanting to pursue a career, to contact emma.martin@salomons-estate.com
