TEENAGERS on ground-breaking hospitality courses have visited local hotels as part of their studies.

The Hospitality and Leisure Opportunities (HALO) scheme was established to ensure Dorset’s thriving tourist industry has the skilled workforce it needs.

Set up seven years ago, it is now offered to students in Years 10 and 11 at five schools.

Young people take vocational courses which prepare them for a huge range of careers within the hospitality industry.

And pupils have recently spent time with leading industry professionals in sessions held at Bournemouth’s Premier Inn and the Captain’s Club Hotel in Christchurch.

Student Meika Dent, who started a course in September, said: “I am really enjoying finding out about the industry from people who work in it.

“They have so much experience and good advice and this will be very helpful as I decide which area of hospitality I want to go into.”

Rosie Wallace, general manager and director of the Days Hotel in Bournemouth, told the Echo: “It is important to engage young people at an early age and to help them understand what opportunities hospitality has to offer. There are a great deal of young, talented people out there and as a hotelier it is a privilege to be involved in their development.”

And Christine Goodall, finance manager at the Captain’s Club Hotel said: “We have been closely involved with HALO for the last six years and find it very rewarding to introduce the students to the hospitality industry and to the way we work on a day to day basis.

“We have had groups of students here for tours.

“I also help at other hotels running joint events and I have been into Twynham School to talk to students.”

More than 21,000 people are employed in the hospitality sector locally, with around 260 accommodation providers and an extra 300 beds due soon in new accommodation.