Bath College students secure full-time jobs at five-star luxury hotel

Two students have secured full-time jobs at a five-star luxury hotel through the Bath Hotel and Restaurant School.

The Hotel and Restaurant School was set up to link students at Bath College with leaders in the South West hospitality and catering industry.

Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa committed to the partnership at a launch party last year and is the first to employ students from the college.

Connor Gale and Lucy Fry have a bright future ahead of them working at the award-winning hotel in Colerne, near Bath.

Lucy will work at the Michelin-starred Park Restaurant and Connor will be part of the team at Lucknam Park’s two AA Rosette Brasserie.

Eighteen-year-old Connor, from Bath, started work experience at Lucknam Park in October and will start full-time in July.

He said: “When I started at college, I would have been the student hiding in the corner. Coming here and seeing everyone’s attitude to work changed the way I was in college.

“It’s been truly amazing and I’ve become more confident in myself. If they’ve offered me a job here, I must be doing something right.

“I’ve only had two jobs in the past and this is by far the best, here it’s easy to get along with everyone – the guests and the staff.

“If it wasn’t for the hotel school I wouldn’t be here, so it’s a really good thing.”

Chris Kidd, Restaurant Manager at Lucknam Park, is keen to stand out as an employer and recruit young talent.

He arranged for Connor and Lucy to take part in staff training as part of their work experience, including wine tasting and cheese making.

Mr Kidd said: “It’s nice to see the potential in Connor and Lucy. For us, the Hotel and Restaurant School has been really good because we have a lot more access to the students at Bath College.

“I wanted Connor and Lucy to be involved in staff training because I wanted them to come and work for Lucknam Park. If I didn’t invest the time, they might have gone elsewhere.

“I hope they will stay for two years, hopefully longer, because we have the opportunities if someone is excelling – there’s the chance to work your way up.”

Bridget Halford, Head of Department for Hospitality and Catering, said: “The Hotel and Restaurant School is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to discover young talent and future employees.

“Connor and Lucy are coming toward the end of their studies at Bath College. They have worked hard and have secured their future with a top employer in the South West. We’d like to wish them luck in their new roles.”