Press Releases

HARRIS YOUNGSTERS TAKE UP THE SKILLS CHALLENGE

Jun 19, 2007

After their pillow talk, these pupils did not take the bed-making challenge lying down

No guests had gravy in their laps as the pupils learned how to serve at tables

A HOTEL in Harris was virtually taken over for the day by a group of youngsters recently.

They planned the rotas, opened the wine, created the colourful desserts, served the dinner, revived the collapsed guest in the corner and even made the beds.

But, unfortunately, this gallant group from Sir E Scott School did not get a penny for their sterling efforts and were not actually serving real guests.

They were all taking part in the Skills Challenge in which youngsters spend a day trying out the various roles that an employer has on offer so they can learn more about the business as a career.

When the pupils descended on the Harris Hotel in Tarbert, the organisers which include Springboard UK which promotes careers in leisure and hospitality, had a real taste of the catering working life ahead of them.

The various sessions included the Kitchen Challenge led by the hotel chef in which they created a scrumptious dessert by piping the cream into an intricate design and finishing it off with colourful coulis.

In the Restaurant Challenge, they eagerly mastered the art of correctly opening and serving the wine, and then went on to planning staff to cover all the shifts and even practised the correct sequence in checking and reviving a collapsed casualty (okay, it was a mannequin) right down to carrying out potentially lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR.

The housekeeping session showed them that there is a real skill in making the beds each day so they are fresh, crisp and inviting.

Karen Maclean, 16, said it had been a real eye-opener for her. Although she and many of her friends had some experience of hotel work, tackling the full range of duties was a surprise. She said: "There is a lot to do and it is important that you carry out your duties as well as you can. That's why training is important. We learned a lot here."

Sarah Morrison, the manageress of the Harris Hotel, said she was very happy with events like the Skills Challenge because she could see how it built the youngsters' confidence.

"They get good experience in the workplace. It may attract them to the industry as many do not see it as a career choice at first. They can see the challenges and I think they all enjoyed it because it was done it in a fun day.
"They were all really motivated and we all found it worthwhile," said Sarah.

The events, which are held in various parts of the islands, are organised by Springboard with assistance from Western Isles Enterprise and support from VisitScotland and the industry.

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