Casino school safe bet for Leeds’ economy
THE FIRST super casino in the North of England has dealt a hand to the residents of Leeds after enrolling a selection of unemployed locals into its Casino School training programme.
Victoria Gate Casino – which will be the largest casino in the North boasting a capacity of 1,400 – has appointed and enrolled 35 people in one of its six-week courses ahead of its opening early next year.
With half of those hired falling into the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) category, the casino hopes to show its commitment to the local economy by providing NVQ training for their newly hired employees.
Employees taking part in the National Gaming Academy courses – which are being run by staff from Blackpool and The Fylde College – will leave with a level 2 NVQ Diploma in gambling operations.
Venue Director at Victoria Gate Casino Patrick Noakes said: “We want to build the leading leisure team in the city and give them the very best training – they are learning a real craft, so wherever possible we want to back that up with a professional qualification.
“The demand for career information in the last few months has been incredible both from people in existing hospitality and gaming roles, to those in education and those not currently on the employment ladder.”
The intensive 180-hour course will teach employees three main games including roulette, blackjack, and poker, as well as gambling legislation, social responsibility, customer service, health and safety, and odds-based mathematics.
Along with the croupier roles, the venue is also hiring for waiting and staff roles, chefs, cashiers, greeters and security staff, generating a total of 205 full time jobs at Leeds’ luxury shopping destination.
