The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Visitor Economy is calling on the trade to submit evidence on apprenticeship problems after a critical report by education watchdog Ofsted found many were poor quality and failing to meet employers’ needs.
Small and medium-size businesses like pubs were among those worst hit, with many saying they felt overburdened and suffered from a lack of support from training providers.
Ofsted chief Michael Wilshaw said: “Our report lays bare what many have long suspected. Despite the increase in numbers, very few apprenticeships are delivering the professional, up-to-date skills in the sectors that need them the most.
“Employers and providers involved in poor-quality, low-level apprenticeships are wasting public funds. They are abusing the trust placed in them by Government to deliver meaningful, high-quality training.”
Too many low-skilled roles have driven down the value of apprenticeships, according to the report, which argued that getting trainees to make drinks and clean would do little to tackle the skills deficit facing the in-dustry. Tourism body Visit-England recently found that businesses were struggling to fill almost half of all chef vacancies.
APPG co-chairman, Conservative MP Nigel Huddleston, said: “Job creation is crucial to improving the economy and the potential within the hospitality industry is enormous. The inquiry is an opportunity for businesses to have their say on how the Government can improve skill development and attract more apprenticeships into the industry.”
Currently only 5% of 16-year-olds go into apprenticeships, a figure described by Ofsted as “little short of a disaster”. The brewing and pub industry has made a significant effort to boost the number of apprenticeships it offers in recent years, with pub companies Mitchells and Butlers and Greene King leading the way.
Evidence should be sent in a Word document to appg@bha.org.uk.