Hospitality & Catering students support the opening of Maidstone Innovation Centre

Based at the Kent Medical Centre, the Maidstone Innovation Centre was officially opened on 10 March by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Fay Gooch.

Four MidKent College Hospitality & Catering students from the Maidstone Campus attended the event to provide front of house support.

They interacted with representatives from the council and the medical industry, as well as finding out more about the Innovation Centre, and different ways to start a small business.

Executive director Chris Hare said “The Maidstone Innovation Centre is an impressive venue for our local SMEs, and is key to developing med-tech, life science and healthcare businesses to benefit our current and future workforces in our local community of Maidstone.

We’re proud that our Hospitality & Catering students were able to be a part of the opening, and we look forward to developing our relationship with the Centre to improve the employability skills and industry experience of our students.”

Curriculum manager JJ Keevey said “Relevant and varied industry experience is key to the future employability of our students and I’m proud that they were able to be a part of the opening of the Maidstone Innovation Centre.

I was impressed with their professional and polite attitude, especially interacting with many people – including the mayor! – that they wouldn’t in their normal lives. This therefore contributes to the development of their teamwork and communication skills, vital for their future in the hospitality sector.”

Thank you to the Maidstone Innovation Centre for your offer to develop our students – we look forward to working with you closely in the future!