Hilton Worldwide launches national work experience

Hilton Worldwide has announced the opportunity of up to 300 work placements for school pupils at its UK hotels.

The placements will see young people aged between 14 and 18 being offered one to two weeks work experience, with a view of offering them a realistic view of the working world. As well as introducing the students to the variety of roles available in the hotel business, the scheme will also highlight the employability and interpersonal skills that are important for any career.

Hilton Worldwide unveiled the scheme at The Big Conversation for Hospitality jobs event, held at Hilton Liverpool, where young people who have already taken part in work experience placements told delegates how it had transformed their lives.

Ben Bengougam, vice-president of human resources for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said that businesses need to adopt an holistic approach to tackle the "corrosive effects" of youth unemployment.

"For this reason, our ambition has been to create opportunities for young people at every stage of their development, and now with the launch of our new national, high-quality work experience scheme, together with our existing apprenticeship programme, graduate scheme and youth employment career options, we have reached this important milestone."

Hilton Worldwide is currently involved in its biggest ever Europe-wide careers campaign, Careers@HiltonLive, which will see almost 200 hotels hosting more than 320 careers events for around 20,000 young people

Work placement student James Dougherty, 19, is seen here checking-in
Bengougam and Steve Cassidy, UK area vice president, Hilton Worldwide, at the Hilton Liverpool.

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