Apprentices flourish in hospitality jobs

04/02/2010 11:25:57

Employers in the hospitality and travel and tourism sectors believe apprentices to be more than capable in hospitality jobs, says People 1st.

The sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism revealed that four out of every ten employers (41 per cent) view apprentices as more productive than regular staff and nearly half (49 per cent) said that they made their businesses more competitive.

In tough economic times, apprentices are becoming an increasingly attractive option, with six out of ten employers that do not offer apprenticeships seriously considering it in the future.

Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, said: "Without doubt, apprenticeship programmes encourage more talented young people into the business which ultimately should improve the quality of the hospitality workforce."

Jamie Oliver's head baker at London's Fifteen restaurant, Kenny Rankin, is to encourage young chefs to take up apprenticeships as part of the Real Bread Campaign and to mark National Apprenticeship Week, which is currently underway.

Hospitality jobs in the UK

• Print this page
• Forward to a friend