Industry News

Staff and volunteers at The Auckland Project are being given the opportunity to attend hospitality training as part of a new initiative aimed at strengthening the region’s tourism and visitor economy.

In partnership with Bishop Auckland College, The Auckland Project has created a bespoke programme titled ‘Land of the Prince Bishop’s HOST’. The training is designed to prepare front-of-house staff and volunteers for roles across the charity’s growing portfolio of attractions, including its hotels, restaurants and hospitality venues.

Delivered at the McIntyre Centre in Bishop Auckland, the two-day course delivered over two weeks focuses on key visitor experience skills such as communication, local knowledge, complaint handling and creating memorable customer experiences. The content is tailored specifically to the values and expectations of The Auckland Project, which welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year to its heritage sites, galleries and hospitality venues.

Louise Costello, HR Strategic Lead, The Auckland Project, said: “We are delighted to have completed our first joint initiative with Bishop Auckland College, which is focussed on investing in local people and preparing our teams for long-term careers in hospitality, tourism and customer service. It’s been fantastic to work with Bishop Auckland College to create a course that supports both individual development and our ambitions as an organisation.”

Judith Layfield, Vice Principal at Bishop Auckland College, said: “We are delighted to be continuing the close and valuable relationship we enjoy with The Auckland Project. The values of the two organisations are closely aligned and this programme epitomises how we have worked together to support local people to develop the skills they need to take advantage of the fantastic opportunities emerging in Bishop Auckland’

The first cohort of staff and volunteers completed the course earlier this month, with further sessions planned as part of The Auckland Project’s ongoing commitment to skills development and community regeneration.

The Auckland Project’s hospitality venues – including the 38-bedroom Park Head Hotel and Oak Room Restaurant, Bishop’s Kitchen at Auckland Palace, El Castillo Tapas Restaurant, and plans for a new 60-bedroom hotel in Bishop Auckland’s historic market place - play a key role in its mission to boost the local economy and create new employment pathways in the town and wider region.