Telford students net work at Jamie Oliver restaurant
A restaurant chain run by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has offered work placements to students in a new partnership with a Shropshire college.
Some members of Telford College of Arts and Technology's hospitality and catering courses will be given the chance of working for a week at the Jamie's Italian restaurant in Birmingham when the scheme begins this month.
The link-up with the restaurant, in the Bullring Shopping Centre, follows a fact-finding visit by a group of TCAT students earlier this year, when they were given a tour of the kitchens and got the chance to try their hands at making bread and non-alcoholic cocktails.
"This is a really exciting partnership, and a fantastic opportunity for our students, and we are grateful to the team at Jamie's Italian for their help and enthusiasm," said TCAT work placement co-ordinator Joanne Bourne.
"The first work experience week will begin on January 18, and we hope this will be the start of an ongoing programme with Jamie's Italian.
"This is the first time the Birmingham restaurant has been involved in work placements with a further education college, so we are delighted they have chosen us."
Among the students who will be taking part in the first work experience week are 17-year-old James Watkins, from Donnington, Telford, who is on a level one culinary skills course.
James, who will be working in the back of house at Jamie's Italian, already has a part-time job at Bella Italia in Telford.
Also taking part in the first work placement will be Kittie Watton, also from Donnington, who will be working front of house. She is on a level three hospitality management course.
The company said it was delighted to offer work placement opportunities to Telford College of Arts and Technology students, and hoped it would be the start of a long and successful partnership.
