In order to challenge misconceptions around roles in the industry, this year’s event will educate participants by engaging jobseekers to showcase what hospitality apprenticeships involve and highlight the diverse career pathways available within the sector, showing it is ‘#MoreThanAJob’ by sharing job opportunities and information on higher education, with the intention of more 16 to 24-year-olds recognising hospitality as a career choice.
Fantastic opportunities
UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “Hospitality Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic way for people to learn about the wide range of roles in the sector, at a time when there are many opportunities to join our post-Covid renaissance.”
“Hospitality has embraced apprenticeships as a gateway into roles as well as for upskilling its existing workforce. Anyone looking for a new job or a change of career would do well to take a look at what the sector has to offer.”
“After the past 18 months, building and training our workforce will be key to the recovery. We are committed to future-proofing the sector by supporting campaigns such as this and working closely with Government to deliver the jobs recovery the economy needs.”
The hospitality sector represents 10% of UK employment, 6% of businesses and 5% of GDP, and was the third highest employer pre-Covid, it is the third largest private sector employer in the UK, double the size of financial services and bigger than automotive, pharmaceuticals and aerospace combined.
If the sector, as well as the wider economy, is to fully recover addressing the acute skills and staffing shortage it currently faces will be crucial.
Golden ticket
Hospitality minister Paul Scully MP added: “Through our Hospitality Strategy, the Government is working hand-in-hand with the sector to help it make the most of its creative and innovative spirit as it builds back better from the pandemic.
“A hospitality apprenticeship can be the golden ticket to a great career. Hospitality Apprenticeships Week is the perfect time for both new and existing workers to explore all the opportunities the sector has to offer, and for businesses to explore all that an apprenticeship programme can do for them.”
Hospitality Apprenticeships Week 2021 will run from 18 to 22 October 2021.