West Wales Hospitality Panel Meeting
14th of June 2005
55 Main Street, Pembroke
Attendees:- Lisa Johnston, Michelle Evans, Lowri Edwards, Gary Davies, Chris Osborne, Lynne Jones, Geraint Bowen, Barbara Priest, Tim Giles, Beth Thompson
1) Welcome and Apologies – Phil Drakeford, Tony McGetrick
2) Matters Arising – Forum Meeting on 9th February at Picton Castle – 60 plus people attended the meeting but mostly were training providers. Milford School attended and carried out a presentation which lightened up the event.
GD highlighted that the catering was not too good. It was also mentioned that the toilets were very unfortunate. LJ stated that they are continually trying to improve things and learn from events like this.
3) Gallu Update – Power Point Presentation – A presentation was carried out by Lisa, Michelle and Lowri on how the project had developed over the last year and their statistics.
TG asked if they had any feedback from the training providers, LJ highlighted that currently they have no procedure in place however this is something which can be done. (LE)
GB asked whether something could be put in place a few months after businesses have attended courses to find out if they have put their learning into practice. LJ stated that information is being sent out soon to all course attendees therefore a short questionnaire could be included. (LE)
GD highlighted that the project is doing very well, however we now need to go on to the next stage to find out who is not attending courses for each target area. Need to try and engage people who may not attend e.g. receptionists, waitresses/waiters etc.
CO stated that there was an evaluation for Gallu in July and people around the table need to think of ways of taking Gallu forward post August 2006.
LyJ stated that there is a need to do a proposal now for the Welsh Assembly. There is now money available from Elwa for Matchfunding. LyJ will forward contact details onto DJ. (LyJ)
CO stated that this will be discussed in the July meeting.
GD suggested asking the trade in the questionnaire if they would consider going on formal courses as this evidence can then be shown to WEFO. The industry has a negative perception of formal training and it would be interesting to see if their perceptions have changed. (Gallu)
4) Next Panel Meeting – 10am on the 21st September at the Castle Hotel, Neath – Subject to availability. (LJ) ROOM HAS BEEN RESERVED
5) Forum Meeting in September – 28th September, New Stadium, Swansea
- Invites/invoices - It was suggested to change the invite/invoice slightly and take off the West Wales Hospitality Forum as a corporate image tends to put people off. It was suggested to market it as more of a trade day and to explain that attendees would get a free tour of the stadium if they attend. It was also suggested to organise transport to the event. (ME)
CO suggested that the day covered statutory training – areas that are important to the industry e.g the new EU food hygiene, health and safety, Risk Assesment etc. Each person will have 5 minutes to talk about their area of interest. (Gallu and CO)
6) Gallu Exit Strategy – Life after 2006 – covered in point 3
GD suggested asking key stakeholders if they had any comments on Gallu, as these could be discussed ion the meeting in July. CO suggested inviting some of the key stakeholders to the meeting on the 26th of July for comments.
DJ suggested sending a series of questions out first for comments about Gallu. (LJ and DJ to action)
7) Panel Considerations – None
8) AOB – LJ highlighted that Gallu had entered the National Training Awards.
GD suggested sending the statistics of Gallu to the local press and WEFFO to get some publicity. It was suggested to use Paula Abandanato from VIBE. (LJ)
DJ stated that Huw from TTFW will be carrying out a short course on how to identify good stories for the press. It was also suggested to set up a similar workshop for the trade.
DJ stated that TTFW are currently working on a project concentrating on the foreign staff coming to work in the area.
GB stated that people come over to Wales to work to develop their language skills and then move on to work in the jobs they really want.
GD stated that there is a need to look at the economically inactive people and get them into more main steam employment. TG stated that there is a project currently running covering incapacity benefit in Carmarthenshire.
GD stated that it would be good to set up a West Wales initiative for economically inactive people to get them into the tourism industry to work.