European Social Fund in England

Accent on training

A woman who fled the volcano-ravaged island of Montserrat for a better life in the UK is now looking to make a seismic impression of her own - as a fully qualified receptionist in Birmingham's booming hotel and restaurant trade.

Bubbly Denise Silcott, aged 40, has swapped the ash and lava of her Caribbean homeland for the safety and suburban charm of Perry Barr.

And with the help of Accent on Training Ltd., in Edgbaston and matched funding from Birmingham City Council and the European Social Fund, Denise is now looking to make the most of her new opportunity by studying essential vocational skills for a career in the hospitality trade.

"The volcanoes on Montserrat forced a lot of people to leave the island for a better life," said Denise, who fled with her parents and sisters just four months ago in the wake of a series of eruptions beginning as far back as 1995.

"We had bad ones between 1995 and 1997, with ash and lava covering up to two-thirds of the island, and finally we had had enough."

Together with other trainees, Denise is nearing the end of an Accent on Training customised course, which aims to teach skills required by the local hospitality and catering trade. The three-week intensive course at the training company's Hagley Road, Edgbaston, headquarters offers nationally-recognised certificates in manual handling, food hygiene and customer care, plus help with confidence building, CV preparation and interview techniques.

And once qualified, Accent of Training's close links with employers, including a host of local hotels, conference centres and hospitals, can help students find suitable employment opportunities almost immediately.

Added Denise: "The course is useful, they make it entertaining, and once I've gained my certificates it will enable me to look at a variety of job opportunities. Eventually, I'd like to be able to work as a receptionist".

Accent on Training Ltd., is the training arm of Birmingham Hospitality Services Ltd. The award-winning training company was established in 1997 by five major companies, including Redcliffe Catering Ltd., the NEC Group and the Holiday Inn Birmingham, in response to a dearth of well-trained catering and hospitality staff available through high-street job shops.

The group's latest initiative covering East and North-West Birmingham is earmarked to receive a total of more than £250,000 over a three-year period from the city council and the European Social Fund. The company manages the project on behalf of the council's ESF co-financing programme and is bringing hope to people of all ages whose lack of qualifications has hindered their chances of regular employment.

Director and general manager Vicky Sherrey said: "You can see how the training programme really can change people's lives, but we would not be here without funding from the city council and the ESF. That cash is crucial if we are to continue to offer suitable unemployed candidates access to this specialist training."