Haven to recruit 350 new Funstars!

A total of 350 jobs are up for grabs when a recruitment roadshow comes to Manchester in January.

The holiday industry jobs are aimed at young people and come amid growing concern about a “lost generation” of school and university leavers unable to find work.

Haven Holidays is launching the recruitment drive to find 350 ‘FunStars’ as the boom in UK tourism caused by the “staycation” looks set to continue for another year.

The FunStars will help entertain thousands of families and children at Haven’s 35 holiday parks around the UK in 2011 with the prospect of permanent positions for the right recruits.

The campaign marks a subtle shift in role for Haven’s FunStars who are broadening their skills to be more actively involved in enhancing the holiday experience for guests.

Hundreds of hopefuls are expected to attend the auditions at The Portland Thistle Hotel in Portland Street on January 11th to snap up the vacancies early on.
Haven is one of the biggest employers of entertainers in the UK.

Jamie Thomson, Entertainments Manager for Haven said: “In 2011 the FunStars will be adopting more of a ‘holiday host’ role and their main aim will be to create the holiday magic. They will be involved with entertaining guests in our team shows but most importantly they will have a greater role in running our children’s clubs and making sure everyone has a fantastic holiday. For those with the right qualities we are also offering more opportunities to take up year round roles rather than being a seasonal job.”

Jamie added “Personality is a big factor in selecting our FunStars and for the first time we will also be having some Junior Judges on the panels. So those going along to the auditions will also have to show they can win over some of our most discerning customers!”

Candidates for the roles can brush up their skills in front of the camera in rehearsal pods whilst they are waiting for the auditions. And the videos will be uploaded on a special channel on You Tube to share the moment with viewers – with a prize for the candidate that scores the most hits!

For full information about what it takes to be a FunStar and details about the venues and times of the auditions click on www.funstarsonline.co.uk

For media information, high-res images and press visits please contact About Words on 01444 235 154 or email info@aboutwords.co.uk and visit our website www.aboutwords.co.uk

Search to find Junior Judges

The search is on to find youngsters who can spot a perfect all-round entertainer when they see one. And who know just what they’re looking for when it comes to personality and charisma.

Does your child ask too many searching questions? Will they make a great interviewer?

Haven Holidays are looking for children aged 9-12 who can help them pick the new team of FunStars to entertain families on their 35 holiday parks around the UK.

The Junior Judges will join a panel of assessors to pick more than 350 Haven FunStars for the 2011 season. They will be expected to put their questions to FunStar hopefuls as well helping potential candidates to actively demonstrate their ability to interact with youngsters.

Auditions for the FunStars will be held around the country in January and children interested in acting as judges at the events can download an application form from www.haven.com/juniorjudges

They will also be expected to submit a video clip of themselves to show just how good they are interviewing people – will they take on the interview style of Lord Alan Sugar or the more quirky charm of Graham Norton?

Selected Junior Judges will need to be available to attend the FunStar auditions. They can look forward to a VIP day and go home with a goody bag including a voucher for a free holiday – so they can see the successful FunStars in action.

Unlike previous years when Haven was looking for FunStars who could sing and dance, this time the company is looking for bubbly, fun people who have great rapport with children.

Jamie Thomson, Entertainments Manager for Haven said: “In 2011 the FunStars will be adopting more of a ‘holiday host’ role and their main aim will be to create the holiday magic for our guests. They will be doing some entertainment in team shows but they will also have a greater role in running the children’s clubs and making sure all our guests have fantastic holidays. For those with the right qualities we are also offering more opportunities to take up permanent positions rather than being a seasonal job.”

Haven decided on getting children involved in selecting the FunStars as part of a new drive to connect with customers. They are introducing a new children’s club specially for 9-12 year olds and thought this would be the best age range to help assess the new Team.


The role of Junior Judge is ideal for any youngster perhaps interested in going on later to make a career in hospitality. A Haven spokesperson said: “They can ask those coming along to the auditions anything, such as ‘say a joke’ or ‘make up a funny story’. We thought it would be great to get a children’s perspective on what make a great FunStar.”

The auditions will be held in Glasgow (January 10th); Manchester (January 11th), Birmingham (January 12th), Bristol (January 13th), Norwich (January 14th) and London (January 17th).

For full details about FunStars and the auditions visit www.funstarsonline.co.uk

The new initiative also comes as Haven is launching a new kids’ club especially for children aged 9-12.


Ends

For more information contact About Words on 01444 235154 or email Deborah@aboutwords.co.uk

Haven’s Got so much Talent!

The Haven’s Got Talent finals staged at Primrose Valley Holiday Park attracted talented youngsters from all over the country for an exceptional showcase of singers and dancers.

The event was the result of contests held at 10 key Haven parks during the six weeks of the summer holidays. Winners were invited back to Primrose Valley for a free break over half term to compete for the overall title and prize money of £1000.
Judges included top X Factor finalists Same Difference and Tommy Dee of Tommy Dee Entertainments who books thousands of visiting cabaret acts each year for Haven Holidays.

Overwhelmed by the standard of the performers, Same Difference said that winners Ryan and Greg Bradshaw who were just 12 and 15, reminded them of themselves when they started out! The two brothers gave a fabulous performance of ‘Where is the Love’ which had the audience dancing in the aisles.

Haven director Howard Rawlings said: “We didn’t know we had so much talent at Haven, but we do now! This is certainly something for the future.”

Haven’s evening entertainment programme for 2011 includes stage-shows from their own Fun Stars, party dances and character shows for the kids, summer-time pantos, circus acts, top tribute bands and star acts from the Britain’s cabaret circuit as well as action-packed days with kid’s clubs, day-time shows, sports and organised activities.

Book early to get the best possible savings on all that Haven Holidays has to offer for next year. Currently you can save up to 50% on Spring and early Summer breaks with up to 25% savings on peak summer holiday dates. Prices start at less than £100 for four night break for a family of up to six people.

Click on www.haven.com or call 0871 230 1900 for more details and immediate bookings.

1st November 2010

Notes to Editors:
For media information , high-res images and press trips contact About Words on 01444 235 154 or email info@aboutwords.co.uk
Calls to 0871 numbers cost no more than 10p per minute. Calls from other networks may vary.

Haven Holidays is part of Bourne Leisure Ltd who own Warner Leisure Hotels and Butlins Resorts and were awarded Best UK Operator 2010 by Travel Trade Gazette.