Apprenticeships in Hospitality: Resetting Perceptions
Apprenticeships in Hospitality: Resetting Perceptions
Key Takeaways
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Apprenticeships are vital to solving hospitality’s ongoing skills and staffing crisis.
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Participation in Level 2 apprenticeships has fallen by 45% since the introduction of the levy.
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Employers are urged to invest levy funds into entry-level apprenticeships, not just leadership programmes.
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Career progression opportunities make apprenticeships more attractive to young people.
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Greater collaboration between schools, government and employers is needed to change perceptions.
Apprenticeships as a Solution to Skills Shortages
Hospitality businesses continue to face staff shortages across all levels, with many roles still unfilled since the pandemic. The industry is grappling with how to attract, train and retain the next generation of workers.
Apprenticeships are increasingly seen as a long-term solution. Delegates at a recent roundtable event, chaired by Umbrella Training’s COO Jo Simovic, agreed that apprenticeships must be central to hospitality’s workforce strategy. They can provide a pipeline of trained talent, ease short-term recruitment struggles, and create stronger career pathways.
Perceptions of Apprenticeships
A major challenge is how apprenticeships are perceived. Parents, schools and young people often see hospitality as a less attractive career choice. Industry leaders stressed the importance of showcasing hospitality in schools to improve perceptions and demonstrate real opportunities.
Adele Oxberry, CEO of Umbrella Training, highlighted data from the Association of Employment and Learning Providers showing a 45% decline in participation in Level 2 apprenticeships. She argued that entry-level apprenticeships are crucial in attracting young talent into the sector, and that too much levy spend is being directed to senior-level programmes.
Career Development and Retention
Steve Rockey, HR Director at Homegrown and Limewood Hotels Group, explained how his business has integrated apprenticeships into wider organisational development. Apprenticeships are structured to lead to clear career progression, improving retention and creating a sustainable workforce model.
Delegates also debated how levy payers could use more of their funds to support entry-level training, ensuring long-term returns on investment. Some argued that the money currently spent on degree-level apprenticeships would be more impactful if directed toward developing new employees.
Schools, Education and Policy
The roundtable also addressed the role of government and education. Delegates called for stronger links between schools and the hospitality sector, including:
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Curriculum changes to reintroduce A Levels in food alongside T Levels.
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Accreditation schemes requiring schools to demonstrate commitment to food education.
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Inspections assessing food and nutrition in the same way as maths and English.
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Increased funding for schools to buy quality ingredients.
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Training for teachers to deliver food-related subjects effectively.
The consensus was clear: better vocational training and more recognition of hospitality in education are essential if the industry is to solve its long-term skills shortage.
How to Strengthen Hospitality Apprenticeships
If your business is considering apprenticeships, here are practical steps to take:
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Engage with apprenticeship providers to understand available programmes.
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Consider using levy funds to support entry-level apprenticeships.
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Integrate apprenticeships into your wider workforce development plans.
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Promote clear progression routes to attract and retain young people.
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Partner with schools to raise awareness of hospitality career opportunities.
FAQs
What is the benefit of apprenticeships in hospitality?
They provide hands-on training, fill skills gaps, and create a sustainable pipeline of talent.
Why has apprenticeship participation fallen?
Since the levy was introduced, employers have directed more funding to higher-level programmes, leading to a decline in Level 2 entry-level participation.
How can apprenticeships improve retention?
By providing structured career development and progression opportunities, apprenticeships help reduce turnover.
What roles are best suited to apprenticeships?
Chefs, kitchen porters, front-of-house staff, and catering roles are all well supported by structured training pathways.
Work with KSB Recruitment
Apprenticeships will play a key role in solving the industry’s skills shortage, but employers also need immediate solutions. At KSB Recruitment, we connect hospitality businesses with skilled chefs, catering staff and front-of-house professionals to fill urgent vacancies and build long-term resilience.
If your hospitality business is struggling to recruit or retain staff, or if you are looking for your next role in the industry, we can help.
📍 Regus Park, Central Boulevard, Blythe Valley Park, Solihull, B90 8AG
📞 0121 828 9840
📧 info@ksbrecruitment.co.uk
🌐 Contact us here
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