Hatzfeld House Helps Liam Launch his Culinary Career
News release
29th March 2012
Eighteen-year-old Liam Simpson from Bilsthorpe is well on the way to fulfilling his dream of owning his own restaurant after gaining an apprenticeship in Hospitality and Catering at Hatzfeld House Care Centre in Nottinghamshire.
Liam left school aged 16 in 2008 and went on to study photography at Newark College. After graduating with a BTEC Level 2 Diploma he struggled to find work so decided to explore another passion of his – cooking.
He spotted an advert on the Directgov website for an apprenticeship scheme run by Mercia College in Derby and decided to apply.
“When I left Newark College in 2010 I couldn’t find a job in photography so I claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance as I wasn’t really sure what else I wanted to do,” explained Liam.
“I’ve always loved cooking and enjoy baking cakes with my girlfriend so when I spotted the apprenticeship scheme working in the kitchens at Hatzfeld House Care Centre I decided to give it a go.
“I’ve been here four weeks now and I really enjoy it. The people are really friendly and I’ve learnt a lot from chefs Beverly Swinn and June Hemming who both have their own style of cooking.”
Hatzfeld House Care Centre Manager Jessica Poznanski said: “Liam is doing very well and is really enthusiastic. He’s very willing and has a lovely attitude towards the residents and other staff.”
Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to national recognised qualifications. As employees, apprentices earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills and receive training to work towards nationally recognised qualifications.
It’s the first time Hatzfeld House Care Centre has employed a member of staff on the apprenticeship scheme and the home, which looks after people with old and working age dementia, is now hoping to take on two more.
Jessica explained: “Many young people like Liam find themselves in a Catch-22 situation: they can’t get a job if they haven’t got any experience and they can’t gain experience if they haven’t got a job!
“Apprenticeships enable young people to gain practical experience in the workplace. Training an apprentice is also very cost-effective for us as a business and can help us to uncover talented youngsters within our local community.
“Our residents also enjoy having young people around to talk to and we’re so impressed by Liam that we’ve decided to offer two more apprenticeships, this time in Health and Social Care.”
For more information about the apprenticeship schemes available at Hatzfeld House Care Centre please contact Jessica Poznanski on 01623 464541.
Ends
Notes to Editors
- Hatzfeld House Care Centre in Blidworth, Mansfield provides residential care for people with old age (over 65) and working age (under 65) dementia.
- Hatzfeld House Care Centre is a family-run care home which has been rated band three for quality by Nottinghamshire County Council.
- The home currently has 23 beds but a new extension due to open in April will provide a further 13 one-bed studio apartments for people suffering from working age dementia. The new until will also have a communal lounge, kitchen and dining room and office space for care home staff.
- The home is owned by Hatzfeld Care Ltd which also owns Willowgarth Residential Care Village in Hornsea and Hatzfeld Homecare Services in Newark.
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
kate@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @shootingstarpr
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