Students at Blackburn College will get hands-on experience working in a busy hotel as part of a new work-placement agreement.
Blackburn’s Premier Inn, located in the Cathedral Quarter, has joined forces with Blackburn College to offer its hospitality students real-life work experience.
Students on a range of level 2 and level 3 hospitality courses will be learning the ropes at the hotel chain – the UK’s largest hotel brand, with more than 50,000 rooms and 700 hotels.
As part of the work experience they will take part in the ‘How To Be Brilli@nt Programme’, a Premier Inn staff initiative which will see students complete a work booklet in order to self evaluate their performance.
The partnership between the College and the Premier Inn was formalised by the signing of a memorandum of understanding – a contract signed by both parties outlining the terms and conditions of the work placement programme.
Nick Hall, Business Engagement Manager – Higher Level Skills, said: “We are pleased to be working with the Premier Inn who have agreed to facilitate work placements and work-based projects at their hotel in Blackburn. This opportunity offers students the chance to develop employability skills in a real life setting.
“Premier Inn is such a large employer nationally and undoubtedly employment opportunities for our students will be created as a result of this collaboration.”
Ian Callaghan, Manager of Blackburn’s Premier Inn said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Blackburn College students to the Premier Inn to learn more about the business and the hospitality sector. We believe that having the opportunity to gain first hand experience of the industry will help them on their way to a successful career.”
During their placement, students and their tutors will get feedback from their supervisors at the Premier Inn to help them continually improve their life and employability skills.
Premier Inn opened in Blackburn’s Cathedral Quarter almost exactly a year ago.
