Hospitality Apprenticeship Week 2021 challenges perception of the industry

Hospitality Apprenticeship Week, running from October 18 to 22, is an opportunity to celebrate apprenticeships in the UK hospitality sector and bring the community together to showcase diverse career pathways. 

This year, Hospitality Apprenticeship Week seeks to challenge perceptions of the industry and highlight how working in hospitality is #MoreThanAJob [1]. 

Each day will shine a spotlight on different roles within the hospitality industry including chefs, front of house, supervisory and management positions. 

Hospitality employers can download a free campaign toolkit, with social media assets, suggested posts and campaign ideas [2]. 

The campaign has been developed by the Hospitality Apprenticeships Steering Group, a group of the industry’s biggest employers, trade bodies and government representatives. 

Chris Gamm, Chief Executive of Springboard, one of the organisations making up the Hospitality Apprenticeships Steering Group, said: “This event is a chance for employers to attract more home-grown talent to address the current staffing shortages and ensure there is a sustainable talent pipeline for many years to come."

A recent survey conducted by the British Chamber of Commerce found that nine in ten hospitality firms are struggling to find staff. Apprenticeships have been proven to be extremely beneficial in improving productivity and reducing staff turnover [3].

Member of the steering board and Chief Executive of UK Hospitality, Kate Nicholls, added that the event 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 the sector's post-Covid renaissance.”