St Austell Family Group has partnered with The Cornwall College Group to deliver interactive hands-on learning experience in the catering and hospitality industry – the only project of its kind in the South West.

The partnership is designed to create opportunities for school-aged students, giving them the chance to gain work experience in various industries and learn from professionals, whilst earning a competitive wage.

The collaboration allows Year 10 and Year 11 students to access state-of-the-art professional kitchens.

Under the guidance of experienced chefs and hospitality professionals, students will be able to learn the latest techniques and trends in the industry across 175 pubs in Devon and Cornwall.

For Jon Kelley, the early careers manager at the St Austell Family Group, this partnership is about developing local talent.

He said: “We’re passionate about working with our communities across the South West and provide a fantastic opportunity to get a head start in what is arguably one of Cornwall’s most important industries.

“We are proud and excited to be at the forefront in developing this unique learning opportunity in partnership with Cornwall College and look forward to helping the young people that participate to get the most out of the programme.”

The learners selected from a range of local secondary schools will then embark on a two-year programme of study.

Throughout the academic year the college will produce a scheme of learning that sequences the curriculum with the collaboration of the brewery, which owns more than 175 pubs across the South West.

David Atkinson-Beaumont, the head of campus for Cornwall College St Austell and group lead for pre-16 courses, said the partnership will “provide exciting careers at the end of their time in education”.

He said: “It’s an opportunity for us to share our industry standard workshops and resources with learners who want to explore subjects that sit outside of GCSEs.”

Luke Bazeley, head of campus for Cornwall College Camborne, said: “After successful partnerships with Kier and the Cornwall Manufacturing Group Academy we felt it really important to branch into another vocational area that is key within the growth of the Cornish economy.

“St Austell Family Group is one of Cornwall’s largest employers with apprenticeship opportunities across its two breweries, head offices, and estate of pubs, inns, and hotels.

“The range of hospitality expertise and exposure our learners will have access to is amazing.”

Details are at cornwall.ac.uk