Sodexo Government learning and development manager Michael Taylor was awarded the title of Ambassador of the Year at the Springboard Awards for Excellence 2023, held on 20 April at the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, London.
He has been a Springboard Ambassador for around eight years, supporting the organisation’s FutureChef competition but also helping Springboard attract more people into the hospitality industry.
Mr Taylor has continued to visit schools and colleges to talk to young people but has also looked at attracting new recruits from other groups such the over 50s, those with disabilities and the long-term unemployed to raise awareness of the career opportunities within the hospitality industry. Over the last year, he has attended over 20 such events.
Through his relationship with Foxes Academy, a training hotel and catering college for young people with learning disabilities, he has helped three students secure employment with Sodexo over the last year and last October organised a two-day Sodexo takeover of the college with colleagues providing practical skills lessons as well as the importance of reducing kitchen food waste.
Working with Oxfordshire County Council, Mr Taylor has helped seven young adults with learning disabilities find employment through the Ways to Work scheme.
He said: “I am thrilled to receive this award. When I started out as an ambassador for Springboard I wanted to understand what I could do to attract more young people to this fantastic industry. I love getting out and about, visiting schools, colleges, job centres and careers fairs to talk about all the opportunities the sector has to offer. The role is so rewarding, the FutureChef competition does not disappoint each year and developing partnerships with the likes of Aurora Foxes and Ways to Work is opening up some amazing opportunities for people to really build a career in hospitality.”
CEO and Springboard trustee Sean Haley said: “We are so proud of what Michael has achieved in his role as Springboard Ambassador. He is passionate about his role and we are delighted to welcome the new recruits he has supported. It is our ambition to provide an inclusive workplace for all, and through his dedication Michael is helping us fulfil that ambition. The hospitality sector is a huge and dynamic industry which is not always recognised. Thank you to Michael for his continued work, developing partnerships to help create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all.”
Photo: Michael Taylor winner of the Springboard Ambassador of the Year award
