Theo’s apprenticeship at cafe is just his cup of tea
17/01/2011
People looking to gain valuable work experience have inundated the Leicester Mercury with inquiries about our apprenticeship challenge.
We have joined forces with Leicester College to match 100 people with apprenticeship places in 100 days.
The challenge was launched on Monday, and already 300 individuals and companies have expressed an interest in taking part.
Jeanne Moitt, manager at Harley Grange Nursing Home, in Stoneygate, Leicester, is looking to take on an apprentice cook.
The person who gets the placement will learn everything from running a kitchen to stocktaking.
Jeanne said: “There are so many employers out there who state they want experienced individuals for the job.
“I want to give a young person in particular the chance to get that experience. This is my way of doing that.
“They will learn from the kitchen staff and pick up the practical skills needed to take them further in their career.
“We want someone enthusiastic and motivated to take this on and, with the help of Leicester College, we’ll support them through it.”
The challenge is open to people aged between 16 and 65 who want to learn workplace skills.
We also want to hear from companies of all sizes, and in all fields, who can offer one or more apprenticeship places.
Theo Ptohopoulos, 17, from Oadby, is already benefiting from an apprenticeship which he gained through Leicester College. He is studying an NVQ in hospitality and has taken on a full-time hospitality apprenticeship at Rossa’s Cafe, in Market Place, Leicester.
He is learning how the business runs on a daily basis, from financing to catering.
Theo said: “I started a bricklaying course after school but decided it wasn’t for me and that’s when I heard about hospitality and the apprenticeship I could take up with it.
“It’s so much better than being in a classroom. This way, I get to learn on the job a lot quicker, and it’s much more fun.” Martin Rossa runs the cafe, which was started by his father more than 30 years ago.
He said: “I was thinking of getting someone to help at the cafe and thought this was the perfect way to get an extra pair of hands to help out while they were able to achieve something through a professional qualification.”
He added: “I think it’s a great idea for companies to get involved in the challenge.”
Businesses which take on an apprentice will receive support in meeting their apprentice’s training needs from Leicester College staff.