BU brews perfect partnership with Hall and Woodhouse

Page published: 29 March 2012

The partnership between BU and Hall and Woodhouse celebrates its second year.

The regional partnership between BU and Hall and Woodhouse (H&W), the Dorset-based brewing and pub company, celebrates its second year.

The partnership was developed to deliver specialist professional development and accredited university-level learning for H&W’s team members.

Keith Hayman, Head of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the School of Tourism at BU, described how the relationship came about: “We’ve been involved with H&W for almost two decades via employees that were students of mine and student-based consultancy projects. In June 2009, we were formally asked to put some thoughts into CPD provision and employee engagement.

“Working closely with Anthony Woodhouse, Managing Director, we came up with a bespoke programme of 6 units delivered over one year for the first cohort of 12. These are: HE Learning Skills; Hospitality Context; Services Marketing; Introduction to e-Marketing; People and Performance 1; and Financial Reporting. That has led onto a second cohort of 12 joining us in October 2011. The first cohort will progress onto a Foundation Degree in Business and Hospitality Management with graduation planned for 2013.

The partnership provides further evidence that BU takes its commitment to regional engagement seriously, something which Anthony Woodhouse believes is of critical importance to universities at present.

He said “Universities have to justify where they add value in terms of their offer and product, and crucially, where they sit in the community they’re serving.

“That’s why BU and ourselves are also involved in the Local Dorset Enterprise Partnership. Keith and I have shared goals in respect of promoting economic prosperity for Dorset.”