Forward-thinking pub business urges others to join them in planning for the future

"The filming was highly professional and they asked some really good questions which made us think about what we do."

A Kenilworth pub is well-placed to attract the highest calibre recruits going forward thanks to a Warwickshire County Council programme to support businesses in the hospitality industry.

The Virgins & Castle, in High Street, is one of dozens of companies throughout the county to have benefited from the Future Careers Digital Market Place project.

The project provides a free digital media opportunity for businesses to work with a filming company to produce two videos which showcase their current and future employment and career pathways. A four-hour filming slot produces two short films – one aimed at young people, particularly those still at schools or due to finish this year, and one aimed at those seeking employment or a career change.

With the hospitality sector severely affected by the pandemic, the scheme, delivered as part of the council's wide-reaching Skills for Employment programme, will help business to be as well-equipped as possible to bounce back after lockdown.

Marc Hornby, co-founder of Caviar & Chips, which runs the Virgins & Castle, believes the input of the Future Careers Digital Market Place project will be highly beneficial to his business.

"It is great to have really good, polished films which showcase our  business and show young people what we can offer as a career," said Marc. "They were very impressively put together. The filming was highly professional and they asked some really good questions which made us think about what we do.

"Sometimes when people think of the hospitality industry, the first thing they think of is long, unsociable hours. There is some of that, and it is hard work, but it is a brilliant industry to work in. It builds social and communication skills and a sense of teamwork like no other. We employ 39 people at the Virgins & Castle and are proud of every one of them.

"We are looking to recruit for when things return closer to normal, the head chef is already looking for a couple staff, so these films will help get us out there and attract the people we want."

Visiting businesses to make the films has had to be put on hold this month, but the programme is ready to resume in earnest after lockdown with six filming dates already booked at businesses in December and the New Year.

Warwickshire County Council leader, Cllr Izzi Seccombe said: "I am delighted that the Virgins & Castle is set to go from strength to strength with the support of our Future Careers Digital Market Place scheme.

"Our hospitality sector has been hit hard this year, but I know that it has the quality and the resilience to bounce back and this scheme will really help. It will connect excellent, forward-thinking businesses like the Virgins & Castle with the talented young recruits they need."

The Warwickshire Skills team are still on the lookout for more businesses, especially in the retail, IT and finance sectors, to get involved. If you are interested or would like to find out more, please contact nikitatakhar@warwickshire.gov.uk

To keep right up to date with what the Skills team offers, please follow them on Twitter or connect with us at LinkedIn.

* For more details of the Future Careers Digital Market Place programme, or if you would like your business to join the programme, please visit here.