Greenwich Community College students give Harrison work experience top marks

Harrison continues to engage with colleges throughout its business areas to offer its Springboard INSPIRE accredited work experience programme.

Working with Greenwich Community College, Harrison offered 13 students on its Introduction to Professional Cookery Level 1 [&] 2 course work experience in its sites throughout Bexley.

Each student spent 10 days working with one of Harrison’s school catering teams, where they received hands-on experience, mentoring and support to put the skills they learned in the classroom into practice.

“It is so important that the students were able to experience the volumes that need to be prepared in catering and also the repetition of skills, because our time at college is limited—we don’t have the chance to repeat things to solidify the learning,” said Lillian Martin, Chef Lecturer at Greenwich Community College.

The response from the students was overwhelmingly positive, and they gave the work experience an overall satisfaction score of 98% on their completion surveys. Their feedback showed they particularly appreciated the support they received from the catering teams, which helped them develop their teamwork skills and confidence, as well as the opportunity to see a different side of catering and to work with children.

Kadiatu Kamaro, Level 1 Professional Cookery, said: “I was nervous, but I just worked as part of their team. Being there, it really gave me the confidence in the future to say ‘I know now what to do when I’m working with a team and with kids’.”

Zac Waddy, Level 1 Professional Cookery, said: “The catering team were really supportive, and they let you get on with different tasks.”

Milika Macaj, Level 1 Professional Cookery, said: “I was very happy and thank Harrison for the support and giving us this chance. I wish one day to work with them.”