This week is Scottish Apprenticeship Week, and to mark its support Cameron House is highlighting success stories from the future generation of hospitality stars making their way through the ranks of its apprenticeship schemes. Cameron House Hotel has already recruited five new apprentices since the resort reopened last September.
Among the recruits is Jodie Cochrane, 18 from Glasgow, who joined the food and beverage team in July 2021 as part of the hotel’s new Chef Apprenticeship Programme.
Before joining Cameron House, the talented young chef was crowned ‘Springboard Future Chef’ in 2020, a nationwide cookery contest with over 15,000 entries, having been mentored through the process by Cameron House’s Executive Chef Zoltan Szabo.
Since July, Jodie has worked across a variety of departments, and by December she was promoted to commis chef and placed her first dish on the Cameron Grill menu for guests: a blood orange crémeux.
Executive Chef Zoltan Szabo commented: “Jodie was an absolute joy to mentor during the Springboard Future Chef competition. She is an energetic young talent and her dedication shone through throughout the process, so it is extremely rewarding to have her as part of my team now.
“Supporting young talent through initiatives such as Cameron House’s apprenticeship scheme is so important as it could unlock the door for a future expert or leader in the sector. Anyone considering a career in hospitality should be encouraged to explore what a rewarding career it can be.”
Jodie Cochrane added: “I remember receiving my apprenticeship confirmation letter while still at school, with my teachers who taught the hospitality class, and we were all screaming. It was a great feeling.
“Joining the team at Cameron House has given me a great insight into the way a big resort works; it’s fast-paced and demanding, but every day ends with you feeling very proud of what you’ve accomplished. I’m grateful to Zoltan and the team for the opportunities.”
Jennifer Jurgensen, Director of Human Resources, Cameron House added: “It is a pleasure for us to offer opportunities for budding professionals at Cameron House, where new starts learn from an award-winning team at one of Scotland’s most iconic resorts. Following a particularly challenging time for young people in employment, due to the impacts of Covid-19, we’re delighted to promote success stories such as Jodie’s, shining a light on the importance of apprenticeship schemes.”