Students Serve Up at Hay’s Dock

Fourth year pupils from Anderson High School and Aith Junior High School were
given an opportunity to put their learning in into practice at Hays Dock Café
Restaurant last week. The pupils are in the second year of their Skills for Work:
Hospitality course at Shetland College UHI, which involves spending a day at the
college every two weeks.

As part of their ‘Front of House’ unit, they must demonstrate through a practical
activity that they can work together to provide pleasant and effective customer
service. While this can be assessed at the college, Raymond felt that spending time
in a local restaurant would provide some useful real-world context for their learning.
Over lunchtime the students took orders from customers, cleared tables, washed
glasses, polished cutlery, and provided table service.

Raymond Smith said: ‘This was valuable experience for the students and it was a
very positive outcome for all. Both café Management and customers gave very
positive feedback. Many thanks to the Museum staff for giving them this opportunity.’

The hospitality department hopes to capitalise on the success of the Skills for Work
course and offer a wider range of courses in the near future.