Hospitality businesses reminded to switch to new apprenticeships

From the end of June, businesses taking on new apprentices will be legally required to use the revised apprenticeships, which set new minimum standards for the programmes and include additional flexibility and information for employers. This does not affect apprentices who are on existing programmes. Under the new apprenticeships, employers will: • Be able to choose from a number of new technical certificate units, which give apprentices essential knowledge for their job role, enabling them to benefit from training that is more specific to their business • Be required to offer a certain number of "off-the-job" learning hours for apprentices to complement their practical experience, enabling employers to give apprentices the best possible start to their career • Have access to a wealth of online information around increasing equality and diversity, the current state of the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector, why the apprenticeship exists and what it is designed to do, and how to ensure that English, maths, and ICT requirements of the apprenticeship are met The Government has made it clear that it sees apprenticeships as a key focus for the future of skills and employment in England, and has pledged to fund an additional 250,000 places over the next four years. It has introduced the new standards to make sure that all programmes meet a recognised minimum quality, ensuring that apprentices gain the skills their employers truly need. The new apprenticeships for hospitality and catering, travel services and drinks dispense systems have been developed by People 1st. The apprenticeships, known as 'frameworks,' can be found at www.apprenticeshipframeworksonline.semta.org.uk, along with additional information and guidance to help employers adjust to the new programmes. Gyles Haverty, senior vocational policy manager at People 1st, commented: "The new apprenticeships give employers a wider choice than ever before. They can be confident their apprentices will get the right skills to do their job, and the compulsory learning hours in the new apprenticeship will be time well spent. "Research has shown that the more training employees are given, the longer they are likely to stay with your business. For example, chefs spend an average of two years longer with employers that offer training than those that don't. "If you haven't employed an apprentice before, there has never been a better time to take one on." The hospitality industry is already one of the UK's largest employers of apprentices. Over 20,000 people registered for an apprenticeship in hospitality and catering last year – a rise of almost 7,000 in four years – and employers across the industry have reported clear benefits from using the programme. Research undertaken by People 1st last year found that four in ten employers claimed that hiring apprentices was far more productive than hiring new staff, while 49% said that they made their business more competitive. The cost of hiring an apprentice was also seen to quickly pay for itself, with a third of respondents recouping their costs within a year, and a further 20% within 18 months. Employers who invest in apprentices can also benefit from increased employee satisfaction and loyalty. Megan Caulkett completed her apprenticeship with leading foodservice and support services provider Compass Group UK & Ireland in 2010, and is now working as concessions manager for Compass at The O2 in London – the youngest person to hold this role to date. Megan commented: "I will show my utmost loyalty to a company that actually wants to invest in my future and my time. They will get my determination to be the best, because they've given the best to me." Further information on apprenticeships for the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry is available at www.people1st.co.uk