More than 130 mentors in the hospitality and hospitality sector attended the Day of the Mentor on Thursday, 13 March. The event was organised by ROC Midden Nederland, De Horecabond and SVH.
The theme of the networking and inspiration event, which took place at the hospitality & Tourism in Nieuwegein, was ‘different generations in the workplace’. How do Gen Zs contribute, how do you motivate a Millennial, and why do Gen Xs remain valuable? As a mentor, you are essentially also an educator. A safe and quality relationship is the foundation – only then is a student open to genuine Insights transfer,” said Steven Pont, developmental psychologist. In addition to this inspiring lecture, there were workshops on various topics, such as sustainable purchasing and the Japanese cuisine. The day concluded with a drink and ample opportunity to exchange ideas with the other participants.
Every day a little better
“The workshop on sustainable purchasing showed how you can work more consciously with which products. And we also tasted delicious sustainable dishes – it was truly a feast! In the second workshop, on Japanese cuisine, I found it fascinating to learn more about the philosophy behind the dishes. We got hands-on with making nigiri sushi, which was a really enjoyable experience. What do I take away? The Japanese approach to perfection: making your dish just a little better every day," said one of the participants.
Training for the future
“The fact that we managed to reach over 130 mentors shows that there is interest and a need to keep mentorship continuously up to date. Tasks change, become more complex; well-being has gained a more prominent place. If you want to continue providing the right guidance to starting colleagues and students who are still learning, it is important to know what is happening. With these meetings, we offer the opportunity to catch up and exchange experiences,” said Ricardo Eshuis, director of SVH. “That’s why we organise these events with partners like De Horecabond, where we work closely with educators in the region.”
Good mentors are indispensable
This edition took place at the hospitality & Tourism College of ROC Midden Nederland. A varied programme was organised, with the support of the organisation and catering in the hands of students. Suzanne Staal, the director of the college, emphasises the need for ongoing collaboration: “Good mentors are indispensable for our students. The right mentor provides confidence, enjoyment, and helps a student grow. Ultimately, this will pay off in enthusiastic employees. It is an investment in the future.”