Hospitality industry leaders back apprenticeships
In February, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg underlined his support for apprenticeships and urged other businesses to get involved. It seems the Government are starting to wake up to the growing need to inspire and encourage today’s youth.
Earlier in July, The Big Conversation – a joint initiative between Business in the Community (BitC), the British Hospitality Association (BHA) and Springboard, brought together hospitality industry leaders with a group of young people to discuss employment skills, work experience and apprenticeships. Resulting in the BII to hold it’s first ever Hospitality Summit.
With the news earlier this year that the government is to inject £1bn of funding into a new scheme to tackle youth employment, a number of major hospitality businesses are already running their own initiatives:
- Hilton Worldwide announced 1800 UK jobs to be created over the next three years.
- Accor unveil a new training academy in London with the creation on 3,500 hotel jobs over the next three years.
- Compass Group announced it would be running 1500 apprenticeships in the next year alone.
- InterContinental Hotels Group created 1,00 UK jobs in 2011 and pledges to create at least another 3,00 over the next three years.
- The De Vere Academy hopes to have over 10,00 apprentices in the next three years.
South West Chefs have been playing a key role in the development of young apprentices for some time now. With the launch of the Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College, quickly followed this year by Cornish food hero Nathan Outlaw pledging his support to Cornwall College with his very own academy.
If you are interested in placing an apprentice in your business please contact abby@redcherry.uk.com for Devon & Cornwall or catherine@redcherry.uk.com for Bristol, Bath & Dorset.
