Explore the key takeaways from our In Conversation with… Haven: Exploring Work webinar with Dean Giles, Head of Learning and Development at Haven.
We were pleased to host a webinar recently with our CEO Laura-Jane Rawlings in conversation with Dean Giles, Head of Learning and Development at Haven. Haven is part of Bourne Leisure and the UK’s leading holiday operator, with 37 sites around the UK–primarily in coastal areas–and over 10,000 employees.
Dean spoke to our audience of Human Resources leaders, early career managers, and talent acquisition professionals about how Haven is supporting young people to explore the world of work, overcome barriers to employment, and raise their aspirations.
Haven’s Approach to Supporting Young People
The employment landscape for young people has shifted immensely in the last few years alone, and young people in education and early careers were particularly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the lost or curtailed opportunities that resulted.
Haven approaches youth employment from the perspective of closing the social mobility gap, creating opportunities for young people who may not otherwise have had them. The hospitality, leisure and tourism sector is not always viewed as a viable pathway to a long-term and rewarding career, and Haven is invested in changing that perception. Through working with the community, educational institutions, and young people themselves, Haven aims to inspire these youngsters to consider a career in the sector.
Many of Haven’s sites are located in areas of high deprivation, including coastal towns in the northeast and northwest. Young people in these locales face additional barriers to opportunity compared to those who live in large towns and major cities. Haven aims to address these challenges at the same time as increasing its pool of much-needed local talent, one of the company’s key business development goals.
“I recently visited a school and many of the young people didn’t understand the [employment] landscape or even understand what opportunities are on their doorstep,” Dean says. “As an employer, being able to get into the education system a lot earlier to work and build those partnerships helps to create that momentum.”
Data shows that the earlier young people are exposed to prospective employers, the more confident they are likely to feel about their career opportunities and their ability to thrive in the workplace.
Working with Schools
Haven began its youth employment journey by building its brand and ensuring that young people were aware of the company as a prospective employer. Creating a page on the Youth Employment UK Careers Hub provided an invaluable first step to engaging with young people seeking work.
The company then set out to build links and partnerships with schools in the communities in which it operates, beginning with Blackpool. Dean identified that Haven had to overcome its assumptions and begin by learning more about what schools and their students needed from the company. He also noted that each school has different and unique needs.
Dean and Laura-Jane visited the first school–Highfield Academy in Blackpool–together to meet with senior leadership, careers teams, teachers, and pupils, and then began to create solutions based on what they learned. Listening, learning, and being adaptable and flexible have all been key in making Haven’s schools programme such a success.
In Haven’s first activity with Highfield, one of the company’s leading chefs visited the school and provided a cookery lesson for 28 students. The students cooked and prepared a meal that was then served to 150 homeless people in their local community. Many students expressed a desire to learn more about cookery and catering careers as a result.
Haven has now expanded its schools offering to address numerous different curriculum needs and career pathways. The company also offers practical support such as CV workshops and mock interviews to assist students as they enter the world of work, as well as advice and information to empower parents and teachers to assist and support their young people.
Work Experience with Haven
Haven offers an array of opportunities for young people seeking work in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector, from entry-level jobs with long-term career potential through to work experience, apprenticeships, and skills bootcamps.
The company has recently launched a virtual work experience programme comprising video learning resources and a digital workbook. Taking only about 60 minutes and available to all Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 pupils, this is an easy and accessible way for any young person to learn more about Haven and the career opportunities it offers.
Haven will soon also offer in-person work experience, providing young people with an immersive experience and a chance to learn about all of the numerous career opportunities that exist on a Haven holiday park. The company intends to offer at least 100 students a day of in-person work experience this year. Participants will spend time with key team members in various departments, learning about the array of career paths that exist and what it takes to succeed within them.
What’s Next?
Haven has big ambitions to make its offering for young people even bigger and better, building on the learning and foundations that have been created over the last year. The company currently has two partner schools and, eventually, aims to have at least one school partner for each of its parks around the UK.
Haven also aims to create an internal youth voice within the company, allowing young employees to provide support, coaching, mentoring, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
Haven is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and is currently working on a project called Inclusive Recruitment. This involves looking at each of the company’s opportunities and ensuring that the marketing, advertising, and recruitment processes address the needs of all prospective applicants, particularly those with additional needs and special educational needs.
Finally, Haven aims to offer further education and support for the soft skills that are vital to success in the workplace and are often overlooked within the formal education system, equipping young people with the emotional and social skills that will help them to shine.
We look forward to continuing to work alongside our colleagues at Haven to offer opportunities, overcome barriers, and support young people into rewarding and fulfilling careers. If you have any questions about any of the content in this webinar or article, please contact us at any time.
