Lewisham College hosted a pivotal meeting of the Employer Advisory Board (EAB), a significant event aimed at enhancing the Hospitality curriculum to better meet industry needs and prepare students for successful careers.
The EAB, a platform for unique industry engagement, brought together representatives from various organisations within the sector, including small, medium, and large local businesses, as well as senior staff from Lewisham College and the curriculum team.
The meeting, held at the Lewisham Way Campus, saw participation from a diverse group of industry leaders, including prominent organisations such as DoubleTree by Hilton, Bubble Food, Break the Fast London, Brockley Society, IHG Hotels & Resorts, The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Spaghetti House, Tao Group Hospitality, and Westow House of Portobello Pub Groups. This diverse group provided valuable insights into the skills and attributes necessary for success in the hospitality sector.
A key focus of the discussion was identifying the challenges employers are facing in the hospitality industry. Employers emphasise the need for employees who are proficient in their tasks and possess a curious mindset, capable of anticipating and driving future innovations within the industry. The conversation highlighted the importance of fostering critical thinking, proactive problem-solving skills among students, conversational English and essential numeracy skills.
The College and employers have embarked on a collaborative journey to address these needs, to ensure the curriculum can be designed to embed essential skills in English, Maths, and employability, fostering confident and resilient graduates ready for modern Britain's workforce.
One significant initiative involves increasing opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through mandatory work placements. This collaboration aims to ensure a consistent and comprehensive approach across the curriculum, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours necessary for further study or immediate employment.
This collaborative initiative marks a significant step in aligning educational outcomes with industry requirements. Lewisham College strives to deliver high-quality education that meets regional and national employment needs by working closely with local businesses.
Lewisham College will be hosting a series of Advisory Board meetings for a range of sectors on the following dates:
- Early Years, Thursday 6 June, 12pm - 1.30pm
- Business and Finance, Wednesday 19 June, 9am – 10.30am
- Health and Life Sciences, Thursday 27 June, 9am - 10.30am
- Creative, Thursday 27 June, 12pm - 1.30pm
- IT and Digital, Tuesday 2 July, 9am - 10.30am
- Sport, Thursday 11 July, 10am - 11.30am
- Construction, Tuesday 16 July, 12pm - 1.30pm
If you are interested in finding out more and to get involved, please visit lewisham.ac.uk/employers.
