College team are sporting medals from UK final

Coleg y Cymoedd learner Ryan Viney was awarded Waiter of the Week, out of thousands of staff at this year’s prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup races.

Seventeen year old Ryan from Merthyr Tydfil joined a group of 48 learners from the Nantgarw campus, on the five day work experience at the races. The learners are studying on a range of courses from Levels 1, 2 and 3 Professional Cookery and Professional Food and Beverage Service.

On arrival the learners are allocated positions in the bars, restaurants, tented village and hospitality boxes and spend the week serving the thousands of guests. The high pressure environment offers an insight into the industry and certainly improves the learners’ skills and confidence.

Ryan was delighted to be awarded Waiter of the Week out of all the staff involved. He stated “I was really shocked when I heard that I had been selected as Waiter ofthe Week as there were thousands involved. It was a really busy week and we worked long hours, but that is the nature of the career I hope to pursue. I know all the learners would like to thank our tutors Sharon Vallance, Marilyn Emmanuel & John Williams for accompanying us at the event – the experience has been invaluable”.

The managers and supervisors at the event, and the Jockey Club Catering Company, which employed the learners, were impressed with the dedication and hard work shown by all the learners throughout the week and commended them on their commitment and attitude.

Principal Judith Evans said “I must congratulate all the students who took part in this event for their mature attitude and excellent behaviour. Opportunities such as this are invaluable in terms of work experience and we are committed to enabling our learners to become work-ready; we have been attending the Cheltenham Races for the past 20 years. A special note of congratulations must go to Ryan who certainly raised the profile of Coleg y Cymoedd, all the learners proved outstanding ambassadors for the college”.

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