A new working holiday scheme has been launched in the UK’s Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area as a collaboration between the language and hospitality sectors and is now open to young adults from 11 participating countries.
The new ‘Youth Mobility Scheme Working Holiday Project in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole’ offers “a rewarding travel, study and work experience on the beautiful South Coast of England made easy”, the organisations said.
The International Education Association (IEA), a regional group of providers, and the BH Area Hospitality Association (BAHA) have collaborated to create a programme to help 18-to-30-year-olds live, learn and work in the hospitality industry across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP).
The new scheme is a collaboration between the local international education and hospitality sectors.
Funded by an Additional Restrictions Grant and overseen by the BCP Council, the unique project takes advantage of the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme visa, which allows people aged 18-to-30 from 11 participating countries to travel, study and work in the UK for up to two years. Countries in the scheme include Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
IEA and BAHA have created a scheme that places people who wish to improve their language skills to an intermediate level into one of the accredited English language schools in IEA, followed by paid employment in the hospitality sector following completion of a language course. Those with English as a first language can be placed directly into employment.
Language schools participating in the project include: Anglo-Continental , Beet Language Centre , Bournemouth School of English, Capital School of English , ETC International College , Southbourne School of English and Westbourne Academy .
The scheme also provides a free five-lesson orientation course on living and working in the UK, free on-the-job training, assessment and certification in various departments of the hospitality industry, and support finding accommodation.
Guido Schillig, Chair of the IEA, said, “The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area is a great place to come to live, learn and work. The new Youth Mobility Scheme Working Holiday programme will create a lasting legacy for international candidates to experience the best of British life and culture and improve their language skills.”
David Bailey, on behalf of BAHA, added, “We are delighted to offer employment through this initiative allowing international candidates to gain valuable work experience, training and certificates to add to their hospitality career portfolio. The Bournemouth area has much to offer with its vibrant community and well-established tourist industry.”
Free on-the-job training, assessment and certification is provided through the scheme.
The organisations said that the area – located two hours away from London – is a popular tourist destination for local and international visitors and students “owing to its beautiful scenery, sandy beaches, history and buzzing nightlife”.
Click here for more information on the Youth Mobility Scheme Working Holiday Project in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole.
The full list of Youth Mobility Scheme participant countries is: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Japan, Korea, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino and Taiwan. Visa requirements for the scheme differ depending on the country.
Interested candidates can apply for a visa at https://www.gov.uk/youth-mobility/apply and then enrol directly onto the Youth Mobility Scheme Working Holiday programme at https://www.studybournemouthpoole.co.uk/yms-working-holiday.
Candidates can also apply with an agent, and a list of relevant agents is displayed on the scheme website. Agents interested in being added to the list can contact Michele Medhurst, Project Coordinator, at MicheleYMS@anglo-continental.com.
By Matthew Knott
News Editor