Magners employability programme serves up 12 new graduates

Twelve hospitality trainees graduated from the Magners Employability Programme on Friday night (16th November) after completing a three-month course in all things hospitality, from front of house service to behind the bar skills.

The graduates, ranging from age 22 to 52, showed off their newly learned skills as they welcomed friends, family and even Celtic legend Tom Boyd to their graduation ceremony at Celtic Park, where they served bespoke cocktails they had specially created for the night.

Returning for a fourth year, the Magners Employability Programme, which is delivered in partnership with the Celtic FC Foundation and Tennent’s Training Academy, helps unemployed people back into the workplace.

This year focused on bar skills and covered the basics of bartending including how to pour the perfect pint, to mastering Barista skills. The course also included classes in Customer & Drinks Service, Professional Cocktail Skills and a Whisky Masterclass.

The Magners Employability programme has now helped close to 40 participants gain employment in the hospitality sector or move into further education since it began in 2015 and was able to return this year, thanks to a £20,000 donation from Magners Irish Cider.

Already, four of this year’s participants have secured jobs, and others have lined up interviews for a number of positions in bars and restaurants across the city.

Upon graduation, each participant will complete a week’s work experience at the state of the art Tennent’s Training Academy (TTA), and placements are also being made available with Celtic FC’s hospitality team, G1 Group, Hilton Glasgow, Grahamston Leisure and Novotel.

George Kyle, Head of Sponsorship for Magners, said: “We’re proud to see how the Magners Employability Programme has grown over the past four years, and to witness the positive effect it has on our graduates’ lives. This year’s classes focused on front of house and bar skills for the first time, and it’s clear to see it’s been a rousing success with four securing jobs before graduating! The participants have been fantastic, and I wish them every success in the future. I’m already looking forward to next year.”

Tony Hamilton, Chief Executive at Celtic FC Foundation, added: “It’s been fantastic to witness the growth in confidence of this year’s participants. Many of our graduates have overcome challenging circumstances to join us and the attendance has been stellar throughout as our participants have really embraced the learning process. I’m proud to say that a number of those in our ranks have already secured employment with a number of businesses in Glasgow – including our own Celtic Park.”

Caitlin Coffield, Magners Employability Programme 2018 graduate, said: “I always knew I wanted to work in hospitality, but I didn’t know what field, or where to begin, so I was excited to be accepted into the programme. The team have been great, and I’ve learned so much – I even poured a perfect pint on my third try! I’d absolutely recommend the Employability Programme to anyone looking to get into the sector, it’s opened up so many opportunities for me already. I’m really proud to have been involved.”