INDUSTRY COMMENT
The changing face of apprenticeships
With attitudes towards apprenticeships evolving, hospitality businesses can reap the benefits.
by JILL WHITTAKER managing director of hospitality training provider, HIT Training
I
n light of GCSE results day (23 August 2018), encourages them to achieve their career goals apprenticeships hasn’t just resulted in creating
there will be many school leavers across the and aspirations will help to create a dynamic highly-skilled and talented individuals, it has
country deciding what their next steps will be. and enthusiastic workforce, while also securing also directly led to genuine business results.
a prosperous future for the industry for years Take the Saunton Sands hotel as an example,
to come. which has experienced a significant reduction in
With university graduates racking up debts
of £50k on average, and no guaranteed job
to show for it, apprenticeships are growing in
To bring this to life, the Brend Hotel
kitchen turnover.
Currently there are 16 apprentices
favour as an alternative further education route Group is a glowing example of how to college and university. In fact, in recent years nurturing and developing employees at Saunton Sands fulfilling roles such as
56,200 workers have enrolled on higher and through an apprenticeship scheme has led commis chef and chef de partie, as well
degree-level apprenticeships, studying a range to impressive results. as front of house positions, including
receptionists and waiters.
of qualifications from foundation degree up to
a Masters.
Brend Hotel Group: demonstrating
Commenting on the initiative, HR manager
apprenticeship best practice and academy principle at Brend Hotels, Andrew
Apprenticeships: a focus on the hospitality Brend Hotel Group is a family-run business, Mosedale, said: “Since launching, the academy
industry passionate about giving back to the has gone from strength-to-strength and
The prospect of earning while you learn is younger generation by offering not only job provides paid training places for young people
becoming even more attractive to school opportunities to employees at its collection from the local area who are keen to pursue a
leavers. This is especially true when you of 11 luxury hotels across the South West, but career in the industry. Our apprentices have
consider that the majority of entry level career pathways. the opportunity to learn their trade and gain
apprenticeships in the hospitality sector,
As part of Brend Hotel Group’s commitment
accredited qualifications, all under the close
guidance of our managers.”
not only guarantee a job on completion, but to learning and development, it launched the could also see a school leaver potentially Brend Training Academy in 2015. The first of its earning between £12,000 and £16,000 during kind in the South West, Brend Hotel Group set at HIT Training, said: “We’ve been working with
the training scheme – rising up to £25,000 if up the academy with support from HIT Training Brend Hotel Group for the past seven years
they move into a management position after – the provider of choice for apprenticeships in and I still find the team there an inspiration
completing an advanced level apprenticeship. the hospitality industry. to this day. They take great pride in training
For businesses looking to attract and
In total, 285 learners have enrolled and
Robert Bird, regional operations manager
and developing their staff from within, and
retain talent, highlighting the advantages of benefitted from the apprenticeship programme have welcomed many talented young people
apprenticeships to 16 to 25-year-olds is a good so far, with a further 48 who have joined in into the Brend fold. They have utilised their
place to begin. Starting at level 2 and running the past 12 months. The Brend apprenticeship Apprenticeship Levy effectively and reaped
all the way to degree level, school leavers don’t programme is constantly rolling, with some of its the benefits and rewards from doing so,
need to stop their development after doing one apprentices nearing completion and others just which is exactly what the Levy is there for. It’s
apprenticeship and can continue their training starting their journey. inspiring to watch the apprentices learn and
throughout their career.
Courses range from Hospitality Team
The Brend Academy has enjoyed a 100%
success rate, with all apprentices going
grow, with many going into Management level
and beyond.”
Phoenix Di-Giorgi, a Saunton Sands
Member and Commis Chef to Hospitality into roles within the hotel. In addition, the Supervisor and Hospitality Manager, offering two apprentices who have so far achieved apprentice who recently achieved a distinction,
those just starting out in their careers plenty a ‘distinction’ level as part of the new said: “My apprenticeship has given me so much
of avenues to explore. The room for fast apprenticeship standards are from the – I’ve gained many skills not just as a chef but
progression is important to showcase as well Academy. Brend Hotel Group is an early adopter in communication, organisation and taking on
– there aren’t many other sectors you could of the apprenticeship standards, which have more responsibility in the workplace. I feel really
be in a supervisory role by 19 or 20 years old, been designed to ensure all apprenticeship excited about my future and the opportunities
for example. training is high-quality, rigorous and specifically available to me at Saunton Sands. I would
crafted to develop the knowledge and skills recommend an apprenticeship to anyone
required to work within the hospitality industry. looking to gain first-hand experience and reach
When it comes to employers within the
hospitality industry, investing in training
programmes which motivate employees and
18
www.hotelowner.co.uk
The company’s investment in
their career objectives.”
September 2018