Future Stars Shine at New Tennent's Training Academy

The Tennent’s Training Academy, Scotland’s centre for excellence in entertaining and hospitality training, has announced the winners of its first-ever Modern Apprentice of the Year Awards.

The awards recognise and reward the brightest new talent in the business and, after a tough day of testing at the Academy, two category winners have been announced.

Joe McGroaty, 36, from Dumbarton, has won the Modern Chef Apprentice of the Year 2011. He has worked in local hotels and in hospitality for 20 years and currently works at the Buchanan Arms, Drymen.

Meanwhile, Paul Hunter, 24, from Glasgow, has scooped the Modern Food and Beverage Apprentice of the Year 2011 accolade after attending TTA City & Guilds Coffee Course and First Aid Course.

Run in association with Skills Development Scotland, the new awards are open to all Academy students on the Modern Apprenticeship Programme – a vocational qualification across different areas of the hospitality industry where skills are developed in a real working environment.

Both winners triumphed after competing against a number of hopeful candidates on the day, showcasing their skills in a series of culinary and customer service challenges under the watchful eye of the Academy judging team, made up of leading names from the Scottish industry.

As well as taking home a trophy and prize goody bag, each winner can further boost their career with vouchers for future courses at the Academy and a prestigious one-week industry placement.

Joe McGroaty will spend his week with Martin Wishart while with Paul Hunter is heading to the Townhouse Group.

Joe commented: "Well done to everyone. The standard was excellent. I am so glad that I won because it was a very tough competition."

Front of house winner Paul said: "It’s so overwhelming to have been awarded this prize. I having been working in hospitality since I was 16 and loving what I do."

Having opened its doors in November 2010, the £1 million Tennent’s Training Academy has seen hundreds of talented and ambitious young people sign up to build their skills for an exciting career in the industry, taking advantage of the talented trainers and state-of-the-art facilities available.

Located at Tennent’s Wellpark brewery in the east end of Glasgow, the Academy’s aim is to enhance the Scottish hospitality industry by offering training and equipping companies with the right knowledge to get the most out of their business, as well as giving people quality education and training within the industry.

Tennent’s Training Academy director, Alan Jones, commented: "Many congratulations to our first Modern Apprentice of the Year Award winners, who both demonstrated outstanding skill and potential on the day of the competition.

"The apprenticeship scheme is invaluable for those looking for the highest level of on-the-job training whilst working towards a qualification, and we hope that these awards will highlight the fantastic opportunities on offer for ambitious young people with the drive to make it in this exciting industry."

Find out more about the Tennent's Training Academy.