PUPILS from across South Ayrshire took part in a Hospitality and Tourism Takeover Day at Prestwick Academy, designed to present hospitality as a viable and rewarding career path.

The skills day, organised by the Springboard Charity, took place on Tuesday, November 19 with pupils attending from Prestwick Academy, Kyle Academy, Queen Margaret Academy, Carrick Academy and Belmont Academy.

More than 70 pupils took part in six workshops throughout the afternoon led by leading hospitality employers in Ayrshire including Buzzworks, Braehead Cookschool, Ayrshire College and Frankie and Benny’s.

Each of the interactive workshops aimed to give young people an insight into the variety of job roles and skillsets within the sector and how to pursue possible career path options in the future.

Throughout the afternoon, pupils prepared dishes in the kitchen with chefs, mixed mocktails with a bar manager, competed in a banqueting challenge and took part in a waiters race.

Kenny Blair, Buzzworks managing director, said: “People often view hospitality as a stopgap job and not a viable or rewarding career path. At Buzzworks we are challenging that viewpoint and take pride in supporting our teams with various development programmes and training initiatives for career progression.

“It was great to be involved in the Ayrshire schools skills day at Prestwick Academy and support the work of Springboard. Hopefully we’ve helped to inspire the career choices of those who took part.”

The Springboard Charity helps young people achieve their potential and nurtures unemployed people of any age into work through work experience, mentoring, careers advice, skills development workshops and training.