Businesses from across the North East were invited to Newcastle Civic Centre last month, as guests at an event organised and ran by students from Newcastle College.
The prestigious and historic building welcomed students and businesses for the College’s annual ‘takeover’ event, which was held at the venue for the first time on Thursday 28 March.
Students from Hospitality and Catering, and Tourism Events Management were responsible for everything from planning the event, to running the event on the day itself, including meeting and greeting, set-up and preparation, and serving a traditional afternoon tea to more than 100 guests. Students from Hair, Beauty and Make-up were also there to provide nail treatments and massages.
Regional employers in hospitality, travel and aviation, hair and beauty, childcare and business were invited to the venue to discuss collaboration between industry and education. Through industry boards, working groups discussed how Newcastle College can work more closely with employers in their sectors to attract more skilled people into careers, as well as how more opportunities can be created.
This year, for the first time, colleagues from the College’s adult education provision were also there to host advisory boards and discuss how Newcastle College and local businesses can create more opportunities for local people.
Guests included Blackfriars, 21, Maldron hotel, Lord Crewe Arms, Fenwick, Inn Collection, Hays Travel, Northumberland Tourism, Fred Olsen, British Airways as well as Newcastle International Airport, all of whom already work in close partnership with the College.
Craig Cowan, Head of Hospitality and Tourism at Newcastle College commented: “The purpose of this event is to give students unique inside knowledge of working within a busy multi-functional city centre venue and help them to gain essential knowledge, skills and behaviours that will prepare them for the world of work.
“This event is not only an important experience for our learners, who get to interact with and showcase their skills to potential employers, but also a fantastic opportunity to give something back to our employer partners.”
Professional Cookery student Milo Russell added: “I’ve never worked anywhere as prestigious as the Civic Centre, so it’s good to experience this, giving me valuable exposure to a live event, and it’s great to try something different.
“I also had the opportunity to work in a front of house role, where I was able to experience dealing with customers and seeing how this role links effectively with the kitchen, highlighting how important communication is and to see how both sides work together to run a successful event.”