Hobart has announced it is to partner with University College Birmingham (UCB) as a founding sponsor of a pioneering new Employers' Scholarship programme - helping to open the doors of higher education to talented young people who might otherwise never get the chance.
UCB has launched the first of several fully funded scholarships aimed at students living in areas of economic and social hardship across the West Midlands. The initiative forms a central pillar of the university's Widening Access and Participation Plan and is designed to support motivated individuals who face financial or personal barriers to higher education, creating new pathways into university.
The Peterborough based manufacturer is proud to be among a group of leading industry names including Red Carnation Hotels and Siemens to sponsor their own schemes. The recipient of the Hobart Commercial Kitchen Equipment Scholarship will be granted full funding for their studies at UCB, alongside placements in different areas across Hobart’s business, where they will receive support, mentoring, hands-on training and a grounding in the day-to-day operations of one of the UK’s most enduring and successful hospitality industry manufacturers.
Hobart MD Scott Duncan is part of the candidate selection team and had this to say:
"We're delighted to support UCB’s Employers' Scholarship, and to welcome a deserving candidate – someone who might not ordinarily get the opportunity – into both the Hobart family and the fun and diverse industry in which we work.
"This is a new chapter in our on-going partnership journey with UCB; three years ago, we were proud to provide the college's on-site competition kitchen with Hobart cooking and warewash equipment; ensuring young people had the opportunity to learn their trade on the very best. At the turn of this year, we were again honoured to donate a new kitchen to UCB's Chelmsley Starters site, helping them offer completely free level one training to people from the local area.
"Supporting this new and highly worthwhile initiative was, therefore, a very easy decision.
"Ours is very much a relationship built on a shared ethos of partnership and opportunity; if we can support individuals to thrive and build their skillset in this wonderful industry of ours, we will, time and time again."
To find out more about the University College Birmingham Employers' Scholarships, including how to apply, click here.