Residents can now access fully-funded hospitality training and affordable dining experiences with the newly-opened culinary school right at the heart of Chelmsley Wood.
Run by University College Birmingham (UCB), Chelmsley Starters is a purpose-built culinary school with an eatery next door for students to put their new-found skills into practice. Solihull Council’s Employment and Skills Team have been supporting the school with promotion and engagement with the community.
Evie, Luca and Nathan are three students currently on the one-year programme for 16-18-year-olds. Evie likes that it is a more hands-on learning experience, while Luca finds the section switching enjoyable. Every term, they switch their sections from prepping food to front of house so that they can get a taste of every role in a restaurant. He likes being front of house at the eatery, Bluebell Wood, as it allows him to meet new people. It made them particularly proud when they served their families.
Nathan shared: “I heard about the programme from my Careers Adviser back in secondary school. I didn’t know what I wanted to do and we had been looking at different options for some time. This programme seemed interesting as it’s not in a classroom all the time and I can get a qualification out of it, so I signed up. Now that I am learning how everything works in the industry, I hope that I can open my own restaurant one day.”
Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council and Cabinet Member for Children & Education, recently visited Bluebell Wood. She said: “The school gives our young people an excellent introduction to hospitality, helping them to stay in education while preparing them for a rewarding career. It’s changing lives and opening up new opportunities for our young people, right in the heart of the community. Great work by our team and UCB!”
She was joined by Councillor Heather Delaney, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Business and Skills. Councillor Delaney said: “It was great to see the young people I met at the enrolment day 2 months ago now working in the eatery with confidence. Just like in the kitchen, it's teamwork with our schools, colleges and employers that create opportunities for residents. In addition to the programme for 16-18-year-olds, there is an 8-week programme for those aged 19 or above. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re interested in cooking or starting a career in hospitality. If you're unsure about your plans like Nathan was earlier this year, support is always available. Just get in touch with our team.”
Adam Pickett, Interim Head of Further Education College of Food and Tourism, and Chef Lecturer, said: “Around 80% of our students live in Solihull. It’s only been 2 months since our first cohort started and they’ve all shown their passion for cooking. For those who haven’t obtained a GCSE Level 4/C in maths and English, we can help them achieve the level needed to secure their dream careers. I’m happy with how we are engaging with the community through training, while developing a quality workforce for the industry.”
For information about the training programmes, visit this webpage or the Bluebell Wood at 10 West Mall, Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre.
To learn about the support from the Council’s Employment and Skills Team, visit: www.solihull.gov.uk/est-support