The system has been developed in partnership with leading organisations in the industry and will be managed by the Hospitality Guild’s partner organisation, People 1st.
Annette Allmark, head of professional standards at People 1st, said that the kitemark system has been established after research highlighted the need for an external endorsement of training programmes that offered staff members excellent training and development opportunities.
“We’ve been working to raise professional standards in the industry for a number of years and while we know of a number of employers who really do offer their team members fantastic training and career development opportunities, there was really nothing that recognised this officially.
“Our research showed that there was a desire for something like this, so we set about developing a new kitemark. Businesses can have either individual training courses or entire training programmes endorsed and it has proven extremely popular, with two employer programmes already kitemarked.”
Beds and Bars and Spirit Pub Company have both had their staff training and development programmes kitemarked.
Donna Hewitson, group HR and training manager at Beds and Bars said: “We were keen to kitemark our Footsteps Training Programme for many reasons. We use Footsteps to ensure team members have a clear idea of where a career with Beds and Bars can take them – and how they’re going to get there.
“The Footsteps Training Programme starts with entry-level positions and develops employees all the way up to a general manager level. It provides the end-to-end career guidance that’s so important in attracting and retaining the right staff for our business.
“Of course, it’s not just about our organisation. We want to play a part in raising the standards of professionalism within the industry and we believe the new kitemark can help do that. It’s a fantastic initiative and we’re absolutely thrilled that our programme has been recognised.”
Mark Peters, head of learning and development at Spirit Pub Company, agreed that getting recognition and increasing professionalism was important, but also added the impact the kitemark system has had on staff perceptions of the training they are offered.
“Of course we were keen to make sure our company’s training was recognised because we truly believe that it does offer excellent career development, but there was also the more altruistic desire to contribute to the professionalisation of the industry.”
Organisations that wish to have either individual training courses or entire programmes kitemarked can get more information about the scheme and submit an application online at www.hospitalityguild.co.uk/kitemarking