News
Bluestone is looking for budding culinary talent as it launches professional cookery apprenticeship

BLUESTONE is offering budding chefs from across Wales the opportunity to enrol on a new bespoke apprenticeship programme offering on-the-job professional cookery training in partnership with Coleg Sir Gar.
The luxury resort near Narberth will host an open day tomorrow (Aug 12) for potential cookery apprentices to learn more about the programme. The resort is launching the new Level 2 apprenticeship a to develop skilled chefs to work in its selection of eating outlets.
Earlier this year, research by national careers advice body Careers Wales highlighted a nation-wide shortage of skilled chefs, stating that 3,500 new chefs would be needed in Wales by 2020.
The open day will take place at the Farmhouse Grill in Bluestone National Park Resort tomorrow from 10am until 3pm.
Director of HR, Debbie Rainbow said: “We’re really excited about the new professional cookery apprenticeship and are hoping that it’ll help us to overcome any skills shortages within our Food and Beverage team.
“We’re looking to recruit five enthusiastic people with a genuine talent and flair for cooking to join our bespoke programme. The course has been carefully designed to nurture their natural ability by providing them with the right vocational skills, tools and industry insight to go on to become successful chefs in one of our restaurants.”
“Apprentices will work a four day week, with no split shifts and be offered the chance to live in accommodation. We offer our chefs a good work-life balance that the industry as a whole can often struggle to achieve.”
The resort has partnered with Coleg Sir Gar to run the specially tailored 18-month programme that will offer young people the chance to learn and develop new vocational skills in its specialist kitchens as well as in classrooms both on-site and at the college.
Bluestone will provide all apprentices with transport to and from the college, books for the course and a knife set and chef whites. In addition they will also receive Bluestone staff points, which are redeemable against accommodation or activities, staff discounts, free entry to the Blue Lagoon Water Park for themselves and up to six guests, free entry to the indoor Adventure Centre and access to the Bluestone Wellbeing programme which offers fitness, mindfulness and health classes.
Rachel Davies, Chef de Partie at the Farmhouse Grill says “Coming to work at Bluestone would be a fantastic opportunity for any budding chef. Every day is completely different and we’re always faced with new challenges and are continually learning new skills.
“The food and beverage team is also a really close-knit family and anyone who comes to work here will be welcomed with open arms.”
Lucy Good, Learning & Development Manager said: “Our open day is very informal and has been designed to provide anyone who might be interested in joining our apprenticeship programme with the chance to look around our kitchens, speak to our chefs, find out a little bit more about the course and register their interest.
“We will then invite successful applicants back for an assessment day on August 19th before selecting the final five candidates to join the programme. Successful apprentices will then start in September, and in addition to undertaking an exciting framework, they will also be given the opportunity to compete in national and international skills competitions as well as pre-organised exhibitions and events.
Apprentices’ participating in the professional cookery apprenticeship programme may also be given the potential to progress on to level 3 programmes in professional cookery, culinary skills, patisserie and confectionery or hospitality management.
To find out more about the cookery apprenticeship visit: http://www.bluestonewales.com/careers/bluestone-cookery-apprenticeship
Crime
Goodwick man jailed for stealing prescription tablets from partner

A 47-year-old man from Goodwick has been sentenced to jail after admitting to stealing his partner’s prescription medication.
Andrew Gibbs, of Allt Y Carne, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he admitted taking four Pregabalin tablets from his long-term girlfriend on February 14.
Prosecuting, Alycia Carpanini told the court that Gibbs had taken the tablets while drinking in the living room earlier that day. He was arrested later that evening on unrelated matters, and officers found the medication in his possession.
During his arrest, Gibbs admitted aloud to police that he had stolen the tablets. He later confirmed the theft in a prepared statement during interview.
The court heard that Gibbs has a lengthy criminal history, with 35 previous convictions covering 68 offences. He had previously faced a series of serious allegations, including actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation against his partner, as well as two further assaults. However, those charges were dropped after the complainants chose not to support the prosecution.
In mitigation, defence barrister Dan Griffiths said his client had been cooperative with police from the outset and had already spent time in custody since his arrest.
Judge Paul Thomas KC imposed a 14-day custodial sentence for the theft, acknowledging the time Gibbs had already spent on remand. He will be released shortly under supervision.
Community
PCSOs and pupils join forces for Pembroke Dock litter pick

DYFED-POWYS POLICE Community Support Officers (PCSOs) 8042 and 8020 joined staff at McDonald’s and Year 5 and 6 pupils from Cosheston VC School for a community litter pick around Pembroke Dock.
As part of the school’s ongoing environmental project, the pupils helped collect seven bags of rubbish while keeping a detailed log of the types of litter found.
PCSOs are uniformed civilian members of police staff who work to support regular police officers and engage with the community. Their involvement helped promote positive relationships between local police and young people.
The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of looking after the local environment and encouraged children to take pride in their community.
Members of the public are reminded to dispose of their waste responsibly and use the bins provided.

Community
Joyce Watson meets apprentices at Haverfordwest transport hub

A VISIT to the site of the new Haverfordwest public transport interchange has highlighted the role of apprentices and skilled workers in delivering the major infrastructure project.
Joyce Watson MS, who represents Mid and West Wales in the Senedd, toured the construction site on Friday (Mar 21), meeting with workers and hearing how the scheme is creating opportunities for local people.
Mrs Watson, who chairs the Senedd cross-party group on construction and co-chairs the cross-party group on apprenticeships, was briefed on progress by Kier Construction’s project manager Dean Williams and Sheila Holmes, engagement adviser for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Speaking following the visit, Mrs Watson said: “The Haverfordwest public transport interchange will transform the town’s transportation infrastructure and boost the local economy.
“With around a year’s work still to go, it’s already offering high-quality job opportunities, and I was delighted to meet the talented apprentices working on-site.”
Among those she met was Matthew Thomas, a local trainee working on the project.
Mrs Watson added: “It was a pleasure to meet Matthew, and I believe he has a great future ahead of him.”
Dean Williams, from Kier Construction, said: “It was great to welcome Joyce Watson MS for a tour of our Haverfordwest public transport interchange project. This scheme for Pembrokeshire County Council will deliver a modern transport hub for the local community, improving connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.”
CITB’s Sheila Holmes added: “We are pleased to be supporting Kier Construction in developing their supply chain for this infrastructure scheme. By doing so, we can invest in local skills, which are vital to the sector and to the regional economy. Projects like this help ensure we meet future skills demands.”
The interchange is part of the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro programme and has so far received nearly £17 million from the Welsh Government’s Local Transport Fund.
Once completed, the new facility will include improved pedestrian and cycle access, a more efficient bus station with seven bays and upgraded passenger facilities, and a modern multi-storey car park.
The scheme is commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council as part of its town centre regeneration strategy.
The visit was organised as part of Open Doors, a national initiative by Build UK that takes visitors behind the scenes at live construction sites to showcase the range of careers in the industry.
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