Top chefs Simon Rimmer, Aiden Byrne and Paul Askew met with City of Liverpool College students as part of Visitor Economy Week last week.
Their visit was one of over 50 events being held across Liverpool to showcase the career opportunities for young people in the sector.
Simon Rimmer, of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Michelin star chef, Aiden Byrne, of Manchester House and Paul Askew, chef and owner at the Art School restaurant, talked about their insights into the industry and the pathways into a career in catering.
Visitor Economy Week was organised by the LEP, The City of Liverpool College and six other colleges across Merseyside.
The visitor economy is rapidly expanding in Liverpool; it currently supports over 49,000 jobs in the city but this is projected to increase to 55,000 jobs by 2020.
Events throughout the week were themed around key professions in the visitor economy such as hospitality, catering and tourism, with fun activities including cocktail making classes and chefs on bikes, a joint citybike, City of Liverpool College initiative where students accompanied leading chefs on a bike tour of Liverpool’s best eateries.
Elaine Bowker, Principal of The City of Liverpool College said:
“With a projected 6,000 new jobs being created by the visitor economy over the next four years, it’s vital that we ensure young people in the City Region benefit from the opportunities on offer. Not only this, we need to ensure we have the skills locally to support the continued growth of this vital sector.
“Visitor Economy Week showcased the diverse opportunities and careers to be enjoyed in the sector, giving the next generation the chance to see what working in the industry is all about.”
David Hughes, managing director of Signature Living, who helped organise the event said:
“The visitor economy is the fifth largest industry in the UK. There are literally thousands of job opportunities being created in the next six years across all levels and disciplines, from management jobs to customer service and catering roles.
“To continue to grow successfully, the sector needs people who have the skills and desire to pursue a career in visitor economy. Visitor Economy Week showcased the opportunities available and the pathways into successful careers in the sector.”