Philip Johnson

Philip Johnson, 19, Langho, Whalley Assistant Manager, Mytton Fold Hotel & Golf Complex, Langho, Whalley Attended: Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe Learning provider: Blackburn College Qualifications: 9 GCSEs, grades A – C Advanced Apprenticeship in Hospitality Supervision	How did you find out about the Apprenticeship programme? I was given advice about my options at school and decided to pursue an Apprenticeship rather than go to college as it gave me the chance to earn a wage and learn about the job at the same time. Why an Apprenticeship? Being on an Apprenticeship allows you to work full-time in your chosen career and enables you to learn about the job while you are doing it. You also benefit from learning the theory behind your job whilst getting valuable qualifications. When I first left college, I wanted to go into Engineering and undertook an Apprenticeship whilst working part-time at Mytton Fold. I quickly realised that I enjoyed the work at Mytton Fold much more than Engineering. The Apprenticeship programme gave me the opportunity to change direction. I think this is an important aspect as young people leaving school at 16 are often unsure of the career they want to undertake and shouldn’t be made to feel that it is the end of the world if they have a change of mind. A Day in the Life I work different shifts from day to day, but a typical day could comprise: 11.00am Arrive at work and set up the restaurant for the evening meal. In between setting up the tables and making sure that the restaurant is looking at its best, I will serve customers at the restaurant bar with drinks and bar snacks. I leave Mytton Fold at 2.30pm and go home and put my feet up before returning for the evening shift at 6.00pm. The evening is spent dealing with customers, many of whom are staying as guests in the hotel. This involves taking them through from the bar into the restaurant, managing a waiter/waitress, liaising with kitchen staff and generally ensuring that all our customers are dealt with efficiently. My shift finishes at around 11pm when the last of the guests have left, hopefully having enjoyed a great dining experience! What Skills have you learnt? My Apprenticeship has allowed me to learn the theory around aspects like the different types of services, handling customer complaints and how to deal with customers on the telephone, and then put this learning into practice in the workplace. Working in a busy environment like Mytton Fold has given me the opportunity to get first hand knowledge of the job, interact on a daily basis with customers and learn from the experienced staff at the hotel.	Best bit I really enjoy getting the restaurant ready for the evening and the thrill of seeing the restaurant in all it’s glory ready to receive our guests – it’s like the calm before the storm! Worst bit It has to be polishing the cutlery – but as I have now been promoted to Assistant Manager I thankfully don’t have to do this on a daily basis. Ambition/Future Career Plan At the moment I’m focusing on completing my Apprenticeship, which I will achieve by the end of 2005. Beyond that I would like to manage my own restaurant one day, or even run my own. Doing the Apprenticeship has made me realise that with the right experience and training, you can achieve your goals whatever they may be. Hobbies My job involves quite long hours so my free time is mostly spent chilling out with friends ready for the week ahead. What do you think of the Apprenticeship programme? “Employers increasingly want to see that young people have sound work experience that is backed up with job-related qualifications. The Apprenticeship programme gives you the chance to prove yourself in both these areas and is therefore a fantastic way for young people to get ahead in their chosen career.” His Employer says Barbara Bryan, General Manager and Director at Mytton Fold Hotel & Golf Complex said, “When Philip joined us as a part-time waiter whilst studying at school he was an extremely shy 16-year-old. Since he embarked on the Apprenticeship programme he has gained knowledge both on and off the job and has been able to develop and progress within the company. “After working hard to complete his NVQ Level 2, Philip has chosen to work towards his NVQ Level 3. He has been promoted to Assistant Restaurant Manager and is developing into a confident and knowledgeable young man, popular with both customers and other staff members. “Our Apprentices gain relevant qualifications and training offsite, through Blackburn College, whilst developing a career and an understanding of their role within a working environment. This provides us with competent all round team members capable of ‘slotting in’ wherever required. “As a small business, Mytton Fold could never offer the broad spectrum of training opportunities without the support of Blackburn College through the Apprenticeship programme. As a direct result of our training partnership with the college, we have seen a significant increase in the retention of our young people.”

How did you find out about the Apprenticeship programme?

I was given advice about my options at school and decided to pursue an Apprenticeship rather than go to college as it gave me the chance to earn a wage and learn about the job at the same time.

Why an Apprenticeship?

Being on an Apprenticeship allows you to work full-time in your chosen career and enables you to learn about the job while you are doing it. You also benefit from learning the theory behind your job whilst getting valuable qualifications.

When I first left college, I wanted to go into Engineering and undertook an Apprenticeship whilst working part-time at Mytton Fold. I quickly realised that I enjoyed the work at Mytton Fold much more than Engineering. The Apprenticeship programme gave me the opportunity to change direction. I think this is an important aspect as young people leaving school at 16 are often unsure of the career they want to undertake and shouldn’t be made to feel that it is the end of the world if they have a change of mind.

A Day in the Life

I work different shifts from day to day, but a typical day could comprise:

11.00am Arrive at work and set up the restaurant for the evening meal. In between setting up the tables and making sure that the restaurant is looking at its best, I will serve customers at the restaurant bar with drinks and bar snacks.

I leave Mytton Fold at 2.30pm and go home and put my feet up before returning for the evening shift at 6.00pm. The evening is spent dealing with customers, many of whom are staying as guests in the hotel. This involves taking them through from the bar into the restaurant, managing a waiter/waitress, liaising with kitchen staff and generally ensuring that all our customers are dealt with efficiently. My shift finishes at around 11pm when the last of the guests have left, hopefully having enjoyed a great dining experience!

What Skills have you learnt?

My Apprenticeship has allowed me to learn the theory around aspects like the different types of services, handling customer complaints and how to deal with customers on the telephone, and then put this learning into practice in the workplace.

Working in a busy environment like Mytton Fold has given me the opportunity to get first hand knowledge of the job, interact on a daily basis with customers and learn from the experienced staff at the hotel.