Students boost job skills

National Star students are improving their future employment prospects thanks to a growing partnership between National Star and The Folk of Gloucester.

Students are boosting their employability, customer service and hospitality skills by running the café every Thursday from 10am to 2pm.

Delicious jacket potatoes, sandwiches, cakes and hot and cold drinks are served every Thursday during term time, giving students the chance to chat to customers, operate the till and work in the kitchen.

The Folk of Gloucester is the former Gloucester Folk Museum in Westgate Street, Gloucester. The building is now operating as an inviting events, education and exhibitions space.

Student Sydney said: ‘I am enjoying learning how to work in a café, learning how to communicate with others that I don’t know and how to serve food and wash up.’

Alex Cooke, Operations Manager at The Folk of Gloucester, said: ‘We are delighted to host the fantastic students from National Star. I can see so many opportunities for Gloucester Civic Trust and The Folk of Gloucester to give students excellent opportunities and experience. The food produced by the students at the college is fantastic.’

National Star has a proven track record in helping young people with visible and invisible disabilities gain their first job or long–term volunteering position.

Former students now work at The Ivy Restaurant in Cheltenham, DEYA Brewery and various other independent businesses across the country.