West Wales Hospitality Panel
Steering Group Meeting Minutes

19th June 2008 at Aberglasney Gardens – 10am

Attendees: Lowri Edwards, Diana James, Chris Osborne, Russell Thomas

Apologies: Phil Drakeford, Gary Davies, Nia Hale

Action Points

  • It should be spelt on bottom of page one as Spatial plan and not special plan.
  • It was discussed that attendees of the panel need to be approached about attendance at meetings and if they felt the panel was within their job remits. – LJ/LE
  • It was highlighted that there was not a very high proportion of trade at the WWHF event. It was discussed that to encourage the trade to attend there needs to be an exciting agenda which is relevant to the trade.
  • It was discussed that the panel needs to be more effective as this will then have an effect on the Forum.
  • The role of the Forum and panel were discussed and DJ stated the importance of ensuring that partners and colleges are aware of what Gallu does.
  • It was discussed that the Gallu Steering group and WWHP merge as a lot of the things discussed are duplicated. It was agreed that this would be discussed in the next Gallu Steering group and that the attendees of the meeting are also looked at again. - LE

Gallu Update

  • Mystery Shopper is being re launched and a new section on the website has been put live.
  • New sections on the website – ‘Who’s Who in Tourism and a Research Section on the website.
  • JCP are looking to re market the ‘Day in the Life of’.
  • LJ and LE are carrying out TNA’s over the next few weeks to find out what the industries needs are. DJ, RT and CO wanted copies of the TNA – LE
  • Touring Surgeries are being carried out across SWWales over the next few weeks with the TA’S.
  • Meeting was held with Clare Williams the Agri Food Manager last week to discuss working together. DJ suggested promoting the 3A project when events are arranged.

Local Employer Partnership

JCP have come up with a new project called ‘Local Employer Partnership where they offer the trade a three week work trial and business does not have to pay.

The Employer can then decide if they want to keep them on.

JCP train them up for:-

  • 1st Aid
  • Food Hygiene
  • Welcome Host

Process :-

  • Initial meeting to see if they are the right person
  • If they are the training is carried out
  • After the three weeks the business can decide if the want them

That’s all JCP want is a guaranteed interview from the employer.

The group asked if they wanted an interview with the employee and would the training be undertaken before the 3 week trial? - LE

West Wales Hospitality Forum September

  • Venue – Carreg Cennen Castle – the group thought this was a good idea
  • JCP – Prison Service – It was thought that this may not encourage the trade to attend.
  • Launch of the updated website
  • Legislation – actors involved – What legislation? The group felt that a lot of this had been covered.
  • Swansea College – Reps welcome – the group asked for more information and also asked if it involved speaking other languages and also where were the students from? – LJ
  • An idea the group had was ‘Riding the Storm – how to make the most out of what you’ve got and what you could have’. It was discussed that as times are hard at the moment it would be good to try and cover saving money and making the best out of what you’ve got. It was suggested to cover:
    • Getting the most out of your staff, skills and also management
    • Business Tools – using tools effectively and targeting the right people
    • Do you know what your customer wants? Market research, websites
    • How do we find out what our customer wants?
  • RT suggested using Charter Solutions they are a good company in winning business and increasing GDP and they have experience in Tourism. RT to send contact details – RT
  • It was also suggested to have someone in who has actually made the most out of what they have. Some suggestions were:-
    • Tim Brace – FBM Holidays
    • Matthew Evans – Coastal Cottages and Activity Wales
    • Liz Davies – Coast and Country Holidays
  • It was also suggested to use a Marketing/PR company but the group felt an actual business would be better.

West Wales Hospitality Forum – Idea for February Forum

Potential Title of Event:

Identify your future employees here and now!

Aim

To bring students and employers together, encourage best practise for experience and provide an opportunity for employers to view student in action before offering them a work placement. Give students the opportunity to demonstrate what kind of asset they can be to a tourism business.

Partners:

  • Pembs College
  • Coleg Sir Gar
  • Swansea College
  • NPT College

Careers Wales West

Representative from 14-19 Learning pathways

Venue:

Halliwell Centre, Trinity College.

Objectives:

Each college to select a tourism/hospitality Theme and be given the opportunity to run their own interactive session to showcase students for potential Work Experience Opportunities. Students to bring completed portfolio/CV’s to hand out to interested employers.

Tourism Business delegates to sign up to 1/2 sessions much like the Visit Wales Roadshow with the aim of identifying potential employees/work placement students.

Main presentation to be buy Minister for Education/Director of Education and someone from 14-19 learning pathways. Content of presentation to highlight the importance of work experience and the possibilities that can arise for full time employment. Also to explain the benefits for both the students and businesses of taking part in work experience opps.

Careers Wales West to facilitate any request for Work Experience from employers.

  • The group suggested getting local proprietors into the event and also chefs coming along.
  • The group wanted to ask what the outcomes of the day were, number of students and also what will we be witnessing. – LJ
  • RT suggested holding an event similar to a YFC rally were there are various competitions e.g cookery, marketing activity, management games, etc and the trade can actually see the enthusiasm in students. It could be called College Skills challenge.
  • It is important to get the industry there.

AOB – RT highlighted the importance of making careers in tourism and that jobs need to be better paid.
 
 
 
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