UKH: GCSE students should take hospitality career

With students across the country today (Thursday 25 August) receiving their GCSE results, the first to be based on exam results since 2019 due to the pandemic, UKH CEO Kate Nicholls said students had “more choice than ever, whatever their results” as the sector offers varied options for people at all levels.

Nicholls added: “The hospitality sector offers a huge variety of options for people at all levels and there are a number of schemes​ which offer flexible learning and training for anyone looking for a fun and rewarding career.

Very excited 

“These include the new occupational traineeships in hospitality, with training in maths, English and digital skills; apprenticeships​ at all levels that cover the many and varied roles our industry has to offer, and employment with structured training.

“Next year we’re very excited students will be able to opt for the new T Level in Catering as well.”

This comes as operator and brewer Greene King earlier this week announced its plans to take on 5,000 new apprentices by 2025 with recent research conducted by the pub company having revealed 20% of A-level graduates would opt for apprenticeships given the choice again.

Right attitude 

Furthermore, figures​​ from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) earlier this week showed vacancies in the hospitality sector had risen by 34% since the previous year while wages​​ for had increased by 6.4% since the beginning of 2022.

Nicholls said: “The sector is seeing record vacancies and is working hard to attract the right people of all ages and to showcase the many, varied and rewarding careers we offer.

“Wages are rising across the industry and with the right attitude, progress can be swift – there’s plenty of examples to inspire students of those in hospitality who have gone from bar to board in a very short time indeed.”