Eight candidates offered roles following Compass Scotland’s first Gateway to Employment Programme

Eight successful candidates have secured employment following completion of Compass Scotland’s Gateway to Employment programme.

In partnership with leading hospitality charity, Springboard, this programme offers each candidate a guaranteed Information, Advice & Guidance interview about employment and skills development opportunities with Compass Scotland.

Following the three-week programme, six of the eight candidates have accepted roles at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) in a mix of Apprentice Chef, front of house, admin and stock control positions, while two candidates secured roles elsewhere.

Thanks to the success of the first programme, and Compass Scotland’s commitment to investing in young people and promoting the hospitality industry, the company is running a second Gateway to Employment programme, which started on 29 November.

Compass Scotland’s parent company, Compass Group UK & Ireland, is an active contributor to Springboard and the Gateway to Employment programme supports their joint goal of helping people who face barriers to work achieve their potential by investing in them and supporting them into employment.

This commitment builds on Compass Scotland’s dedication to nurturing the Scottish workforce. During the programme, candidates developed their soft skills and built confidence in communication. The comprehensive programme included presentations given by senior staff including David Hay, Managing Director of Compass Scotland, Graham Singer, Culinary Director of Compass Scotland, and Lorna Wilson, Head of Catering Operations at Compass Scotland’s flagship venue the Scottish Events Campus (SEC).

The programme culminates in guaranteed job interviews, with the chance to progress onto the Modern Apprenticeship Programme. This bespoke programme was launched by Compass Scotland earlier this year with a commitment to create and develop 100 new Modern Apprentice opportunities in its first year. The apprenticeship programmes offer a career progression roadmap for an individual to work towards, from a Foundation Apprenticeship, Modern Apprenticeship or a Graduate Apprenticeship, dependent on their current job role and skills development and progression requirements.

David Hay, Compass Scotland’s MD, comments: “It was wonderful to see the successes of eight young people on our Gateway to Employment Programme. We are pleased to support Springboard in this valuable initiative that lets people thrive, nurtures our workforce and supports the vital hospitality industry. I am passionate about providing industry-leading, aspirational career pathways that offer genuine opportunities for skills development and progression.

“Scotland’s reputation for hospitality and food and drink is world-renowned, and we are proud to be looking to the future and ensuring that the next generation of talent is nurtured. Springboard’s excellent Gateway to Employment programme has given us yet another opportunity to support the Scottish talent.”

Jonathan Foot, Head of Apprenticeships and Early Careers at Compass Group UK & Ireland, adds: “The Gateway to Employment programme was a fantastic experience for all involved, and we’re thrilled to hear that has resulted in jobs for all candidates, with the majority of them gaining employment within Compass Scotland. From the candidates to the senior Compass Scotland team, the approach to learning and progression demonstrated in this pre-employment programme benefitted everyone. This programme is one that will help people develop the skills and confidence needed to support them with their first step on the career ladder at Compass.”

Chris Gamm, CEO, Springboard said: “This is a fantastic example of how Springboard is working with our partners to futureproof the talent pipeline, supporting our mission to get 10,000 young, unemployed people into work in hospitality by the end of 2022. We’re delighted that eight candidates have secured jobs with promising careers at Compass Scotland immediately upon completing the programme and we wish them all the best for their futures.”