Torbay relies heavily on the tourism industry for its economy, and South Devon College, together with the University Centre of South Devon, is at the forefront of sector training locally, with highly-skilled and enthusiastic students joining the workforce.
Thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund the College is building on its already robust tourism and hospitality training within the Torbay Sector Skills Support programme, increasing its provision of Leadership and Management and Customer Service training for new entrants to the sector.
One such student who is now working in the sector after successfully completing his tourism qualifications as an HE apprentice at the University Centre South Devon is Tan Yang.
Tan completed a Hospitality Manager Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4) with Certificate of Higher Education, with employment at Shoreline at Paignton Beach and Soho Bar Torquay at The Greenway Group throughout.
Tan enrolled on the apprenticeship as a means to kick-start his future career in a solid industry. He said: “I realised I had to decide and commit to what I truly wanted to do in my career. The obvious way to sharpen my skills and expand my knowledge was to join a course that would have a positive impact on my job and career.”
Tan developed his knowledge of the sector during his apprenticeship and enjoyed the whole learning experience: “I really enjoyed the course. It gave me the opportunity to evaluate strategies and train myself in a more comprehensive way to better understand the hospitality business. It’s also a great stepping stone for climbing the career ladder.”
After completing his apprenticeship, Tan spent eight months at the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel as a Conference & Banqueting Supervisor, gaining insights into how an international brand operates across multiple departments.
He is now working as the Food & Beverage Manager at Berwick Lodge, a boutique hotel in Bristol, and is using the skills acquired on his apprenticeship on a daily basis: “The skills and knowledge I gained from my qualification have been invaluable in my workplace. The key skill I took away from the course was a deeper understanding of the hospitality business.
“I am responsible for the smooth operation of the restaurant, events and weddings. I am now equipped with the skills to plan events, lead a team, and create memorable moments for customers.”
Tan’s training ensures that he is a valuable team member across departments and disciplines: “I often find myself applying the knowledge I gained from my apprenticeship, such as employment law, customer journey, event planning, and more – I provide support to team members whenever they need it, ensure stocks are adequate, evaluate customer experiences, oversee menu pricing, and develop sales strategies.”
As in every sector, it is vital to keep on top of industry changes and economic fluctuations. Tan continued: “Currently, I am working on a budgeting plan and price redesign to tackle the government’s Autumn Budget 2024, which has predicted an additional £50K cost for the business. The team is actively working to minimise these costs while staying competitive.
“I aim to stay up to date with trends, continue the good work we are doing, learn new things, such as AI, and remain determined to drive the business to stand out from our competitors.”
Tan’s employer understands the value of apprenticeships and training within the tourism and hospitality industry. Sarah Arikan, owner and General Manager of Berwick Lodge, said: “As a small business it is vital for us to keep up with the latest technology and trends in the hospitality world. I am a big believer in The Berwick Team being like a jigsaw puzzle and everyone has a key skill to bring together to join it all up.”
Completing an apprenticeship requires support from both teaching staff and employer, and Tan is keen to sing the praises of both. He continued:
“It’s amazing how much the apprenticeship course has helped me in my hospitality career, and I have absolutely no regrets about committing to the learning opportunity.
“During the course, my managers and team were flexible, interested in the skills I learned from the course, very cooperative with my ideas and strategies for the business, and supportive throughout.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the staff at the University Centre South Devon for all the support I received during my 18-month apprenticeship course. The qualifications and knowledge I gained all have been immensely helpful in securing the jobs I applied for over the past 12 months.”
Rachel Jackson, Tutor and Higher Education Lead Tourism and Hospitality at South Devon College, said: “Tan embraced fully his academic journey at University Centre South Devon. Tan was always keen to learn more and apply his knowledge and research to apply to business consultancy projects. These projects would propose options to maximise revenue and improve operational quality in the organisations within which he was employed. Tan was a credit to the College but also to the hospitality sector he is committed to.”
Learn more about the College’s tourism and hospitality training, in collaboration with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, here: UKSPF Green Skills and Sector Pathway Programmes – South Devon College