Adam from Blackawton in Devon has benefitted from funded training to help him build his skills in hospitality and transition to a role in a brand-new industry.

Originally from Manchester, Adam had worked as an office manager for the NHS for a number of years before making the decision to move to Devon for a fresh start in a different part of the country.  As part of the move, he was open to exploring alternative employment opportunities that were a better fit for the lifestyle he was seeking.

Adam applied for the role of night porter at the Dartmouth Hotel, Golf and Spa in Blackawton, part of the Best Western chain of hotels, but was immediately offered a front of house position in reception, despite having no previous industry experience.

Recognising his potential, Adam’s employer was keen to equip him with the skills he would need to succeed in his new role. The hotel approached Seetec Outsource for support with relevant training, and he was given the opportunity to take accredited courses in team working and communication skills for work.

The courses were fully funded through Devon County Council’s Open Up To Skills initiative, which aims to upskill employees within the hospitality, catering, retail, leisure and tourism sectors, and is supporting employers to rebuild workforce capability following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Adam feels that the training has been incredibly useful, enabling him to build new skills that he can apply within his role on a daily basis. He said:

“I am quite a deep thinker, and these courses opened my eyes to the psychological side of customer service, which I really enjoyed. We also discovered how teamwork can support productivity, which is something I feel has really improved at the hotel since we took the course.

“Our tutor, Jodie, was always receptive to our ideas and suggestions, and this encouraged a sense of openness within the group. It was a really positive experience and I’ve gained a lot from it.”

Kelly Williams, HR Officer at the Dartmouth Hotel, added: “Given what the hotel and wider industry have been through over the last few years, the variety of training courses offered by Seetec Outsource were immediately appealing to us as an employer.

“We chose a very interactive course, which was delivered on site to a number of team members from various different departments within the hotel, including Food and Beverage, Health Club and Spa, and, of course, Reception.

“The feedback from the team members who attended was incredibly positive, and they have been able to put their learning into practice straight away. They have also passed on some of their training to other colleagues, and it has been wonderful to see the team grow and develop further as a result of this training.”

More information about the funded training available to employers through Devon County Council’s Open Up To Skills initiative can be found here.

If you’re an individual looking to progress in your current role or reskill for a new role you can find out more about funded training opportunities here.