A new initiative to promote the hospitality industry as a career and identify the best training available has been launched by the National Skills Academy for Hospitality.
Backed by People 1st, the Sector Skills Council for the trade, the academy was launched last year to work with employers to deliver "challenging and robust" training programmes.
In its first major activity, the academy is endorsing a series of training programmes which it believes give people the best opportunity to acquire the skills needed for a long-term career in the industry.
These include a new Advanced Apprenticeship being offered in partnership with Publican Award-winning bar and restaurant operator Living Ventures.
This will provide newcomers to the industry with the opportunity to develop the skills, product knowledge and financial acumen to run a successful pub, restaurant or bar. Training will take place within Living Ventures' outlets, but will be open to all candidates - with the company receiving government funding to support the programme.
David McHattie, chief executive of the National Skills Academy, said: "Our fundamental role is to shine a light on excellence. If the best isn't available it should be created. That's what we've worked with Living Ventures to achieve."
Other initiatives include a new Diploma in Professional Cookery, to be available at four catering colleges. McHattie said this would restore the credibility of professional chef training.
"The NVQ, introduced 14 years ago, has never had the same credibility with employers as the old City and Guilds 706 qualification," he said. "This aims to redress that with a qualification which will give employers confidence."
A successful Junior Chefs Academy for 14 - 16 year olds students, backed by contract caterer Compass, is also being endorsed by the academy.
Bob Cotton, academy chairman, said: "Between 750,000 and one million people are set to be recruited in the sector in the coming 12 months.
"The academy is creating national benchmarks in hospitality training so that these recruits and existing team members can take advantage of the best programmes in the industry."