Preparations for Cornwall’s hosting of the G7 summit have been boosted by a college in the county announcing free language and culture training sessions to help hospitality providers deliver a warm welcome for the world’s leaders.
Truro and Penwith College is offering the training to businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector through a new partnership with the University of Exeter’s Language Centre and the College’s ESF part-funded Hospitality Table Cornwall (HTC), Employer Led Skills and RISE projects.
Language and culture specialists from the College and the University of Exeter have been working with a focus group of hospitality businesses and G7 hosts to design five new courses that are tailored to the needs of those welcoming world leaders and their teams in June.
The five, completely bespoke short courses will start in April, covering language and cultural customs in Italy, Germany, South Korea, Japan and France.
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The College has matched funding provided by the European Social Fund to offer businesses the free training, highlighting its support for a sector that has endured a torrid 12-months in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Andy Stittle, Director of Partnerships at the College commented: “The College is pleased to fully-fund this training, with the help of the European Social Fund to enhance its support to Cornwall’s Hospitality and Tourism sector.
“We are grateful for the input of our colleagues at the University of Exeter and our employer partners and are confident this training will put businesses in the strongest possible position to take advantage of this unique influx of international guests.
“I’m sure the training will also inspire participants to explore language learning further, while helping them feel connected to what is a once-in-a-generation event for Cornwall.”
The College has begun the process of contacting its employer partners in the hospitality and tourism sector. The training is available to any business that can benefit with employers encouraged to contact the College on 01872 305500 or [email protected].
The initiative has attracted strong support from Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and local hospitality leaders.
Kim Conchie, Chief Executive Officer at Cornwall Chamber of Commerce said: “G7 is an opportunity for Cornwall to show the World our amazing hospitality, our long, long track record of dealing successfully and commercially with cultures and peoples from everywhere. The short courses delivered by Truro and Penwith College are a perfect and accessible way to learn new skills which will be of use both throughout life and immediately over the coming months as the spotlight turns on Cornwall.”