Up to 500 students attended a Bluestone recruitment event hosted by Pembrokeshire College recently, revealing considerable interest among our county’s future workforce in the new holiday venture.

As part of its commitment to open up career opportunities locally, Bluestone’s management team were on hand to meet students and talk about specific job opportunities when they attended the day, organised by the college’s Bluestone Academy.

The tourism industry is Pembrokeshire’s largest employer and is continuing to grow as holiday trends change. The college has responded by setting up a concept ‘Bluestone Academy’, to identify, develop and provide relevant training and support at the college.

‘It’s an exciting challenge,’ said Sarah Hoss, Pembrokeshire College’s Bluestone Academy co-ordinator:

‘With opportunities in beauty and complimentary therapies, catering, child care, sports science, retail, construction and maintenance and graduate-level management posts, many students are already learning the skills which will be needed at Bluestone.

‘The college is keen to promote the key skills this business will require to deliver a five-star service. With all-year round job opportunities and strong links with the college, it’s a new-generation opportunity for Pembrokeshire College’s new generation’.

Bluestone’s director of HR, Debbie Rainbow, herself a former Pembrokeshire College student, provided an insight into the business; the facilities currently under construction and the sort of people the company are looking for.

With the development rapidly taking shape and the promise of hundreds of job opportunities, students were keen to hear about the company’s plans – and what it might mean for them.

The first phase of recruitment is well underway, with assessment days being planned for short-listed applicants. Bluestone will be recruiting staff in phases until their planned official opening in July 2008.