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Wirral Met College Opens Premier Inn Training Facility to Support Young People with SEND into Employment

Wirral Met SEND students inside Wirral Met Premier Inn training facility

Wirral Met College has officially opened a fully equipped Premier Inn training facility at its Conway Park Campus, creating life-changing opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across the Liverpool City Region.

The new facility has been developed in partnership with Whitbread, owner of Premier Inn, as part of Whitbread’s national Thrive programme. This unique collaboration reflects Wirral Met’s commitment to delivering inclusive education and supporting all students to develop the skills, confidence and experience they need to thrive in the workplace.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on Wednesday 2 July, was attended by Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram and Simon Ewins, Managing Director of Premier Inn UK Hotels & Restaurants.

The training environment has been designed to mirror a real Premier Inn hotel. It features three en-suite bedrooms, a reception desk, corridor and linen room, complete with ‘do not disturb’ signs and tea and coffee-making facilities. The realistic layout offers students a safe, supportive space to build practical hospitality and customer service skills.

Up to 36 students from across Wirral, Liverpool, St Helens, Knowsley, Sefton and Halton will train at the facility each year, gaining valuable work experience that can lead to supported internships or paid employment in the hospitality industry.

Gill Banks, Principal of Wirral Met College, said:

“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Whitbread to bring the Thrive programme to Wirral Met College and the Liverpool City Region. This collaboration between education and industry provides young people with SEND the opportunity to develop practical, real-world skills in a setting where they feel safe, supported and valued. With access to the fully equipped, on-site Premier Inn training facility at our Conway Park Campus, students will build confidence and gain the experience they need to take meaningful steps towards employment. It’s a wonderful step forward in creating a more inclusive future for everyone.”

Simon Ewins, Managing Director of Premier Inn UK Hotels & Restaurants, added:

“We couldn’t be more delighted to bring Thrive to Liverpool City Region. Thrive shows how businesses can lead the way in making jobs more accessible to everyone. We believe there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition. Thrive shows how the private sector can meet the moment: It’s not just a corporate initiative - it’s a real-world demonstration of how inclusive employment can work at scale. Huge thanks to everyone who have worked so hard on this project, in particular CLC Group and Holden & Lee who have made the build a reality."

This latest development reflects Wirral Met College’s commitment to inclusive education and its ongoing work with leading employers to prepare students for real-world careers. The new Premier Inn training facility provides a purpose-built environment where young people with SEND will soon be able to gain practical hospitality experience, building the skills and confidence needed for employment.

Starting in the new academic year, the facility will play a key role in Wirral Met’s Supported Internships programmes, helping students take meaningful steps towards their future careers.

To find out more about supported internships and foundation learning at Wirral Met College, visit www.wmc.ac.uk.

Hi, I’m Ailz. What I love most about education is the opportunity to make a genuine difference to people’s lives, help them recognise their own potential, and open doors to new careers and pathways. I began my career teaching English in Further Education, before becoming a mentor for trainee teachers through their placement years. I really enjoyed mentoring and coaching trainees, helping them develop their practice and discover their own strengths as teachers. This led me into teacher education, where I now work as a Programme Lead, supporting the next generation of teachers in the Further Education and Skills sector.

I care deeply about social mobility, the importance of positive relationships, and helping students feel confident and engaged in their learning. I’m a nurturing and approachable teacher educator, and I’m committed to ensuring that every trainee I work with feels encouraged, valued, and supported as they develop their practice.

I’m Sasha. What I enjoy most about working in education is helping people build confidence and realise their full potential. I spent 13 years working as a teaching assistant and Learning Support Assistant before moving into teaching Health and Social Care and Access courses with learners aged 16 and over. These experiences shaped my belief in the importance of positive relationships and adapting teaching to meet individual needs.

Mentoring trainee teachers and coaching colleagues sparked my interest in teacher education, which I moved into in 2024. I enjoy helping trainees connect theory with classroom practice, try out new approaches and find their own confidence as teachers. I aim to create a supportive space where they can ask questions, reflect honestly and feel comfortable seeking advice.

I have a degree in Psychology, a master’s in Mental Health, a PGCE, the National Professional Qualification in Leading Teacher Development and a Postgraduate Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring in Education. These studies continue to inform my interests in inclusive teaching, wellbeing, and supporting others to develop their practice.