Pubs across the country are being encouraged to take youngsters on as interns in a new programme being launched by the BII.
The trade body is starting the scheme in a bid to get more young people joining the trade and viewing it as a career.
So far 100 senior BII members across the country have already committed to taking on an intern.
Placements will last between one month and a year and will involve students taking on various roles in the pubs they are attached to.
Students taking part will be trained and then paid on the job. The scheme is set to get underway in January.
Neil Robertson, BII chief executive, said: "We have had a fantastic response and I am delighted with the reaction of members.
"It is a way of getting young people into the industry. We are looking at colleges and universities and international students."
Corporate BII members will also be asked to take on interns in their pubs once the scheme has got underway.
Richard Slade, licensee at Battlesteads pub and hotel in Wark on Tyne, Northumberland BII North East chairman, is among those supporting the scheme.
He said: "We are keen to get involved and as we have the hotel element to our business we will be able to give interns an overall grounding in the hospitality sector.
"The scheme is really designed to give people a footing in the industry and a good overall understanding and experience so they will be confident of taking on a job in the industry."
For more information visit www.bii.org/home or call 01276 684449.