Hospitality student has a taste of luxury at top London hotel
Published 22 March 2013
International Hospitality Management student Adam Pierce has had the chance to get involved in the running of one of London’s premier hotels as a result of spending his work placement year at the luxurious Park Plaza County Hall on the South Bank.
Adam is one of 50 students on the course who are currently undertaking 12-month placements around the world, as part of the University of Brighton’s policy to provide work placements for more than 90 per cent of its undergraduate students.
The hotel is part of the PPHE Hotel Group and the university has been placing students at the Park Plaza County Hall since June 2011. The group is now extending its work placement scheme to its five other London hotels (Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, Park Plaza Victoria London, Park Plaza Riverbank, Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes and Plaza on the River).
The placements are of sufficient length and structured to allow students to work in the various departments in the hotel, including the executive office. This means that students can get a real taste of hospitality work and discover just what is needed to follow a career within the sector, as well as having the opportunity to make a positive contribution as an active team member.
Claire Whitehouse, Learning and Development Manager EMEA at PPHE Hotel Group, said: “At PPHE Group, we are extremely proud of our placement programme and we are passionate about developing future hospitality professionals.
“Our programme offers students not only the practical experience they need to be successful, it also develops key managerial skills along the way, which will support them throughout their careers in hospitality.”
Initially, Adam had been hesitant about taking a placement for a year, but he says he now has realised how beneficial this is.
“So far, I have worked in food and beverage, housekeeping and the executive office, where I shadowed the general manager,” he said.
“The placement has changed my attitudes towards hotel management in a number of ways. It has provided me with a real insight into the day-to-day routine of managing a four-star deluxe city hotel, as well as highlighting the dedication and attention to detail required to reach the level of management to which most hospitality students aspire.
“Overall, I know now that deciding to do a work placement was a decision I’ll never regret. I am learning many important aspects of the industry that I am sure will stay with me throughout the rest of my career, as well as building some great relationships along the way.”
