Teachers warned her she was ‘wasting her intelligence’ but Emmalee knew that university was not for her.
“I realised I really didn’t want to study forensic science and that, actually, I didn’t want to go to university at all, so I started looking into apprenticeships.”
Emmalee had assumed that she would only be able to get an apprenticeship in engineering or a similar trade. When she stumbled upon the hospitality apprenticeship which Northern Regional College and the Galgorm offer, she jumped at the chance to enter a field she knew she would like. She hasn’t looked back since.
“I couldn’t recommend an apprenticeship like this more. Everyone has been so encouraging and supportive and it’s a great environment to work in. Then there’s the added incentive of earning while you learn, instead of racking up astronomical student debts.”
Emmalee commends the apprenticeship for its balance of theory and practice.
Apprentices at the Galgorm are put through rigorous training beginning with the basics. Emmalee’s four days per week in the Galgorm are currently taken up with learning the ropes of its popular Fratelli restaurant. She also says that the experience-based learning she has gained from the apprenticeship is invaluable.
“At the Galgorm you’re learning, not just industry practice, but gold-standard industry practice. You’re getting a qualification and you’re also getting a wealth of experience. Moreover, this is your foot in the door – you’re not coming out of university, and thinking ‘what now?’ It’s a natural progression into a career.”
Meanwhile, Emmalee’s one day at college is spent working through a schedule of theory-based learning.
“We learn everything from how to set a table properly to how to greet a customer,” Emmalee says, “Some of that sounds like common sense, but when you’re working in a high-end hospitality environment, you realise that a lot of thought and intention goes into those seemingly small aspects.”
Emmalee says she couldn’t recommend the Galgorm and Northern Regional College’s apprenticeship scheme highly enough.
Emmalee says, “I think to do well in a role like this you need strong personal skills and to enjoy working with people. I’m very chatty and outgoing which makes me a natural fit for the role. Ultimately however, a good attitude is the most important key to success in a hospitality apprenticeship.”
When asked what advice she would give someone in a similar position, she says: “Just go for it. Even if it’s not what you expected, you gain amazing experience in industry, a qualification and you earn while you do it. I really can’t see a downside!”