Finn’s Journey into the Hospitality Sector

Background

In August, Finn attended a Jobs Fair, where he first came across CEIS Ayrshire through a flyer. At that point, Finn was uncertain about which work sector would align best with his skills and interests. Determined to gain clarity and pursue meaningful employment, he decided to reach out for support from CEIS Ayrshire.

Initial Engagement

Finn’s journey with CEIS Ayrshire began when he met his Key Worker, Lynne Carr. During their initial discussion, it became clear that Finn needed to explore his skill set to identify potential career opportunities. Together, they decided that participating in employability workshops would be a valuable first step.

To help him gain insight into his strengths, Finn completed the following workshops, all conducted online via Zoom:

• Skills and Qualities Workshop
• Elevator Pitch Workshop
• Applications Workshop

These sessions proved to be highly beneficial for Finn, giving him a better understanding of his transferable skills and boosting his confidence.

Exploring Opportunities in Hospitality

At the beginning of September, Lynne Carr and Finn discussed a potential opportunity: Our Hospitality Sector-Based Work Academy. This 4-week programme caught Finn’s interest, as he felt that his abilities might be well-suited to the hospitality industry. Excited about this prospect, Finn decided to join the programme.

Training and Skill Development

During the training course, Finn received additional support from Gail, a member of the CEIS Ayrshire Skills and Training team. Together, they worked on completing various workshops and acquiring accredited certifications, including:

Manual Handling

• Problem Solving in the Workplace
• Workplace Health and Safety
• Customer Service
• Food Safety Level 1 and 2

These certifications enhanced Finn’s employability and prepared him for work in the hospitality sector.

Gaining Practical Experience

With his new qualifications, Finn was ready to gain hands-on experience. Lorraine, one of our Business Service Officers, helped him secure a two-week work placement at Duncans Bar and Bistro in Irvine. This placement provided Finn with valuable real-world experience and allowed him to apply his new skills in a professional environment.

Support and Success

Following the completion of his placement, Finn impressed the team at Duncans Bar and Bistro. Recognising his hard work and potential, they invited him to work additional shifts. Finn is now a fully paid employee at Duncans, thriving in his new role and enjoying the experience of working in the hospitality industry.

Lynne Carr also supported Finn in updating his CV, ensuring it reflected his recent qualifications and work experience. This new, polished CV has been an asset in showcasing Finn’s journey and growth.

Recognition and Reflection

In recognition of his achievements and the support he received, Finn was invited by North Ayrshire Council to Cunninghame House to share his experience with members of the Scottish Government. He spoke about the positive impact of the Pipeline programme and the significant role CEIS Ayrshire played in his success.

Reflecting on his experience, Finn said:

“Working with CEIS has been a wonderful experience and is something I’m truly grateful for. I would never have pictured myself to be working in the hospitality industry, so I’m really thankful to them for getting me involved in it, especially since I’m now doing full-time hospitality work and am loving it.”

Get in Touch

If you are struggling to find work, one of our Sector Based Work Academy Programmes could be for you. Use the form below to contact us for more information and employability support.