Hospitality apprenticeships have today received a boost as the government announced its approval of the trailblazer senior chef – culinary arts and senior chef – production cooking standards.
Hilton Worldwide led the group that developed the trailblazer standards, which included 24 other employers and industry trade bodies (see list below). People 1st acted as the managing agent for the development of the new standards as part of a process that included consultations with a wide range of hospitality employers, including micro businesses and SMEs.
Leading by example
Skills Minister Nick Boles said:
“I’m delighted that hospitality has developed new apprenticeship standards in senior chef – culinary arts and senior chef – production cooking standards.
“Since 2010 there have been 1.8 million apprenticeship starts and the hospitality trailblazer is leading by example in the development and delivery of high quality apprenticeships that give people the chance of successful careers and help businesses get the skills they need to grow.”
The skills employers want
Annette Allmark, director of strategic policy at People 1st, said that it was excellent news for employers that the standards have been approved.
“The new standards mark a significant shift in the development and future use of apprenticeships, as employers now have a far greater say in the skills apprentices learn.
“That can only help employers as they help prepare their workforce of the future, and it’s also great news for apprentices, as they’re going to learn the skills they know employers want them to have.”
Right fit for the industry
Kathryn Porter, division resourcing director at Hilton Worldwide, is chair of the hospitality trailblazer group. She said,
“Apprenticeships are an excellent route into the industry and our working group has spent significant time and energy to ensure these standards are the right fit for our industry, reflective of opinions from businesses big and small. We look forward to piloting these new standards and further boosting career development in what is an exciting and dynamic sector.”
The hospitality trailblazer group will also continue to work on the development of apprenticeship standards for hospitality and travel supervisors and hospitality and travel managers, which will be submitted in mid-October.
This will include giving employers who have not yet had the chance to comment the opportunity to have their say.
“The trailblazer group will continue to look at these standards to make sure they meet businesses needs across the entire industry, and they will be available on the People 1st website to review for anyone interested,” said Annette.
The approved standards and those still under development are now available on the People 1st website
The full list of employers that developed the apprenticeship trailblazer standards
Spirit Pub Company, Compass Group, Dorchester Collection, Brownsword Hotels, BaxterStorey, McDonald’s UK, Bartlett Mitchell Ltd, Whitbread, Sodexo UK, Tragus Group, SSP, Thomas Cook Group UK Ltd, PGL Travel, Eurocamp, Mitchells and Butlers, KFC UKI, Oxford and Cambridge Club, TUI, Institute of Hospitality, Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, ABTA, British Institute of Innkeeping, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, and Barchester Healthcare.