BII chief Tim Hulme calls for hospitality to become an 'aspirational career'
Speaking at BII’s awards presentation for level two licensed hospitality apprentices yesterday, Hulme said only 4% of BII’s members are aged between 18 and 30, despite the fact that 46% of those who work in hospitality fall into this age group.
He added that the industry needs to regain its status as a respectable profession with a recognised pathway and urged the graduating apprentices at Lewisham and Southwark College (LeSoCo) to “aim high”.
“Our age profile as a membership body is somewhere between 40 and 75. A particular cornerstone of my work over the next few years is attracting the next generation of young people to the world of hospitality,” he said.
“One of the things that BII has got to work incredibly hard at doing is creating an aspirational career pathway, and I will use the term a chartered licensee. Because many years ago, a licensee used to be able to sign your passport form. The credibility that went with the profession has been lost and it’s something we need to work really hard at regaining. It is a respectful career.”
Industry opportunities
Addressing the graduates, he added: “Pubcos and brewers cannot fill the vacancies and are desperate for new, exciting talent. There are a plethora of really exciting opportunities and jobs awaiting you.
“Aim high. Never be satisfied. Don’t stop. Keep going. And you will get there.”
Around 30 apprentices were awarded for passing their level two in licensed hospitality through the BII apprenticeship programme yesterday. The programme provides a mixture of academic qualifications led by the college and industry-led content gained through hospitality organisations.
LeSoCo is one of 450 BII training providers and the graduating apprentices worked at various companies across the country including Greenwich Village Inns, New Pub Company and Shepherd Neame.
Patrick Bull and Scott Simpson, who both trained at Vodka Revolution in Norwich this year, gave a cocktail demonstration after the ceremony to show off the skills they had learnt.
Simpson said: “Passing my personal licence holder course was the highlight this year. I want to move up to a management role and this course provides a way for me to do that. The fact it runs alongside employment is fantastic.”
