Cardiff Central Labour candidate, Jo Stevens went behind the scenes at top hotel chain in Cardiff to meet an apprentice who is cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
Andrew Kear-Smith is on an apprenticeship programme with Wales’ Leading training provider, ACT, and has been working as an apprentice in the Radisson Blu Hotel kitchen for 11 months. From cooking poultry to perfection to whipping up desserts, he has been growing from strength to strength and is flying through his qualification.
Andrew said: “The best thing about working here is Chef. He’s really supportive and I have learnt so much from him. I feel really privileged to be learning from him and being his only apprentice.”
He continued: “The apprenticeship has given me focus and has enabled me to start earning a wage and developing a career from an early age. It’s a great path for anyone my age.”
Jo Stevens met Andrew in the kitchen where he works and got a glimpse of what it is like to be a chef’s apprentice.
She said: “It was a real pleasure to meet Andrew, particularly in his place of work. It was really positive to hear of his success and how he has made the most of the fantastic opportunity that both ACT and Radisson Blu hotel have provided.
“We have some fantastic apprenticeship programmes in Wales, with the Welsh Labour government delivering one of the most successful apprenticeship programmes in Europe. The partnership between ACT and Radisson Blu is one shining example of how both the individual as well as the employer can benefit from apprenticeships.
