Building a Future for Hospitality in Blackpool: The launch of AFD Training Academy

At LBL, we believe that hospitality has the power to create real opportunities for people, particularly young people taking their first steps into employment.

That's why we're proud that our Managing Director, Jake Whitington and Training & Development Manager, Chloe Gibson, have launched the AFD Training Academy, a new Community Interest Company focused on creating opportunities, developing skills and helping people build careers within hospitality.

Blackpool is built around hospitality, tourism and entertainment. From hotels and restaurants to bars, attractions and events,the sector provides employment for thousands of people and plays a huge role in the local economy. However, there is still work to do ensure that young people see hospitality as a genuine career opportunity and have the skills, confidence and support they need to enter the industry.

The AFD Academy aims to help bridge that gap. By connecting young people with practical hospitality skills, industry knoweldge and real opportunities, the Academy can help to remove some of the barriers that can make entering employment difficult. For someone with little or no work experience, gaining confidence, learing what employers actually expect and understanding the opportunities available within hospitality can be a hugely important first step.

What makes the Academy exciting is the support it's received from the wider hospitality industry. Brands including Pernod Ricard and Franklin & Sons, alongside other industry partners have backed the initiative, showing a shared commitment to developing the next generation of hospitality talent.

For Blackpool, it's about more than training. It's about creating pathways into employment, giving young people the opportunity to discover what they are capable of and helping businesses develop the talent they need for the future.

We're proud of Jake and Chloe for taking this idea forward and creating something with the potential to make a lasting impression. We know first hand how much opportunity hospitality can provide, and we're looking forward to see what the AFD Academy can achieve.

To find out more about the AFD Academy, check them out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afdhospitalityacademy/