Skills Minister, Nick Boles MP has announced the launch of Pizza Hut Restaurants’ first ever Apprenticeship scheme, which will see the company pledge 1,500 new Apprenticeships over the next five years.
Offering the full range of Apprenticeships from Level 1 to degree standard, the programme will provide employees with a range of skills, from guest service and hospitality leadership, through to more technical requirements focusing on food production and financial analysis. Each individual will be supported by a personalised development plan to ensure structured progress through the organisation.
First for the restaurant industry
The degree level Apprenticeship, a first for the restaurant industry, will be open to all Pizza Hut employees and Apprentices and will be run with Manchester Metropolitan University. The programme includes a mix of academic and practical modules with a focus on Pizza Hut Restaurants’ award winning service training. The Apprenticeship programme complements Pizza Hut Restaurants’ commitment to up skilling young people with the casual dining chain employing around 5,000 young people each year.
Speaking at the launch of the programme, Skills Minister Nick Boles MP said: “Apprenticeships add value to our businesses and workforce right across the economy. These apprenticeships at Pizza Hut Restaurants will offer even more people the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge while working. I would encourage more businesses to take the lead from companies like Pizza Hut Restaurants to start or expand their apprenticeship programmes.”
Pizza Hut Restaurants has now launched the programme across all restaurants in England with Scotland and Wales soon to follow. The restaurant chain has also committed to paying all apprentices the national minimum wage, as opposed to the statutory Apprentice minimum wage, across its restaurant chain.
Apprentices joining the casual dining brand will be doing so at an exciting time for the business. Pizza Hut Restaurants is investing heavily across its estate in the UK as part of a broader £60 million refurbishment and restructuring programme of the business, secured through private equity investment from Rutland Partners in late 2012.