Ilovedideaofearning whileyou’relearning
WHY CALUM CHOSE APPRENTICESHIP OVER UNI Five-star training at Gleneagles Hotel is setting 19-year-old up nicely for a career in hospitality
The Scottish Apprenticeship Show takes place at Edinburgh’s EICC on September 2 and 3 and Glasgow Science Centre on October 7 and 8. For more info on attending, sponsoring or exhibiting, visit www. scottishapprenticeship show.co.uk BY MARIA CROCE maria.croce@reachplc.com CALUM Gullen is enjoying the chance to learn about the hospitality industry – and earn at the same time.
The 19-year-old is on a three-year apprenticeship and currently works as a guest services co-ordinator at Gleneagles Hotel.
Calum, from Muckhart, Clackmannanshire, chose an apprenticeship over going to university – and has no regrets.
He also recommends this training route for others.
And for young people who want to find out more, the Scottish Apprenticeship Show takes place this autumn.
The country’s top employers will be on hand to answer questions about how an apprenticeship can help a career.
The show will be at Edinburgh’s EICC on September 2 and 3 and Glasgow Science Centre on October 7 and 8.
Calum explained: “The apprenticeship works well for me as it allows me to build my experience and opens up opportunities for the future.
“The first two years I have moved on a rotational basis around housekeeping, food and beverage, kitchens and front office. The rotations last six months and I also study the SVQ Level 2 in hospitality.
“In my third year, I have the option to specialise in one area of the business while also studying my next level of qualification. I am hoping to focus on food and beverage.”
Calum said he applied for an apprenticeship because he saw it was a good opportunity.
He added: “I loved the idea of ‘earn while you learn’ – and with the prestigious Gleneagles having this apprenticeship on offer, it was too good to pass by.
“The expertise and knowledge some of the teams have here at Gleneagles is amazing and I have learnt so much in my first two years.
“It is very encouraging also to see other apprentices who have made the same journey and are now in managerial roles at Gleneagles.
“One day, I would like to see myself in a general manager position of a hotel.”
Calum can’t recommend an apprenticeship highly enough.
He said: “I was torn between university and this apprenticeship but I’m 100 per cent sure I made the right decision as this is allowing me the practical experience as well as qualifying.”