Centurion Hotel Inspires Future Hospitality Professionals

In June, students from Norton Hill School and Writhlington School, both part of our Future Ready programme, were fortunate to spend a morning at the Centurion Hotel in Radstock with General Manager, Mark Manley, and his team.

Across two days, around 40–50 students took part in an engaging introduction to the hospitality industry. Mark delivered four sessions, each lasting approximately two hours, providing students with a unique behind-the-scenes insight into their local hospitality sector.

The sessions were packed with practical, hands-on activities designed to showcase the wide range of roles within a hotel. Students were split into small groups and given the opportunity to try making barista-style coffees, take part in a bed-making challenge, learn how to lay tables for different occasions, and even use the hotel’s industrial iron to press sheets and napkins. For many students, the coffee-making activity was a particular highlight.

 

A behind-the-scenes tour of the hotel gave students an insight into the day-to-day operations of a busy hospitality business, while members of the Centurion Hotel team shared their own career journeys and experiences of working within the industry.

The students were highly engaged throughout the visit, with many commenting that it was one of the best trips they had been on. They particularly enjoyed the variety of challenges and the opportunity to experience aspects of hospitality that they would not normally encounter.

A huge thank you to Mark and the entire team for supporting such a memorable and inspiring experience. To run a busy hotel while delivering such an immersive programme for local young people was incredible to see. Opportunities like this provide valuable real-world experiences and help students gain a deeper understanding of potential career paths. The impact of these sessions will undoubtedly stay with many of the students for years to come.

Thank you, Mark and the Centurion Hotel team, for helping to inspire the next generation and giving students a taste of what a career in hospitality can offer.

This activity was delivered as a part of the Future Ready Fund; funded by the Careers and Enterprise Company and West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.