Martin Walder, head of learning and development at SSP UK, said: “The hospitality and catering industry is not always a young person’s first choice for a career, and yet we have a high demand for skilled teams.
“By providing a structured framework for training and career progression, our apprenticeship programme allows young people to learn while they earn and has enabled us to recruit and retain a number of truly excellent colleagues.
“Thanks to the programme, our post 90 day retention for new colleagues has improved by 6%, with apprentice graduates confirmed as 50% more likely to stay with SSP UK as a career.”
The services provider introduced its award-winning apprenticeship programme in July 2010 and currently has 1,540 staff enrolled onto the scheme.
The programme is open to all new SSP UK colleagues, whatever their age, academic or professional background. Colleagues join the bespoke programme at level 2 as a team member, progressing to a qualification in team leading, culminating in level 3 – management.