Hospitality apprentices to demonstrate alternative to A-levels and university

10-Jan-2018 - Last updated on 10-Jan-2018 at 09:43 GMT

Career alternative: Emma Reynolds MP (L) attended last year's hospitality apprenticeships event

Apprentices from the pub, bar, brewing and casual dining sector will participate in the second year of an interactive event hosted by Pub & Bar Careers during National Apprenticeship Week to highlight their career path as an alternative to traditional routes through further and higher education.

On Tuesday 6 March, apprentices from companies such as Stonegate, Fuller’s, Everard’s, Beds & Bars and The Casual Dining Group, will meet MPs, ministers and media from across the country to discuss their career journeys and aspirations.

With the hospitality sector being the fourth biggest employer in the UK, the event seeks to further educate MP’s about the diverse range of roles, skills and talent found among the roughly 1.6m people working in the sector.

Reflecting on last year’s event, Andrew Griffiths MP, Lord Commissioner HM Treasury (Whip), said: “It was by far the best event we have held in the House of Commons. It gave Ministers and MP’s the opportunity to talk directly to young people who work in the sector, to hear their views and career aspirations. It was informative, interactive and fun and certainly made an impression in the House.”

Organisers hope that the event will help enforce the view that hospitality apprenticeships are a credible alternative to traditional further and higher education.

'No longer the be-all and end-all'

MP Emma Reynolds added: “A-levels and university are no longer the be-all and end-all. In countries like Germany it’s been the case for some time that vocational, on the job training, is seen as being on a par to continuing in full-time education.

“It’s something we haven’t managed to achieve here, with many people still looking down their noses at the alternatives, however things are starting to change although perhaps not quickly enough.”

The event runs from 12.30pm to 3.00pm in the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion on Tuesday 6 March.

If you would like to get involved please contact Znherraurssreana@yrvfherce.pb.hx for full details.