Hospitality
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme designed to give you the skills and knowledge needed to develop your prospects and career in the industry. Hospitality and Catering is a very important growth industry. It employs around 8% of the total UK workforce, serving individual customers in hotels, restaurants and pubs, as well as providing large-scale contract catering within schools, hospitals, prisons, staff restaurants, and many more establishments.
Within each sector there are a wide variety of occupational and career opportunities available. You should like working with people, so you need to be flexible and prepared to operate as part of a team, but you should also be able to use your own initiative. Enthusiasm to learn and progress is valued by employers, as is having a smart appearance and a friendly personality. You should be energetic and have a positive attitude.
How do I find an Apprenticeship?
The first thing you need to do is find a job. Hospitality and Catering Apprenticeships are work-based, which means you need to be employed in a Hospitality & Catering job role before you can start your training.
There are many places you can go to find a job; Connexions, the Apprenticeship Vacancies Website, local papers, Internet job sites, and Job Centre Plus. You can even try friends and family to see if they know anybody who may have a vacancy. Total People may also be able to find you a placement.
Once you have gained employment contact Total People!
What happens then?
Total People will send one of their Training Advisers out to you. They will sit down with both you and your employer to arrange your learning plan.
Your training could take place at one of Total People’s Training Centres or at your workplace. Your employer will allow you time to meet with your Training Adviser.
How long will it take?
The time taken to complete your NVQ depends upon you and your employer; how quickly you want to do it. However, a Level 2 qualification normally takes between 12 – 14 months to complete, whilst the Level 3 takes 18-24 months.
The Technical Certificate is delivered as a one day course.
Completing your Apprenticeship
Your Hospitality & Catering Apprenticeship is made up from 3 core elements:
- NVQ
- Key Skills with Technical Certificate
Your NVQ portfolio is like a work diary, it records your activities and experiences. Your portfolio is assessed to make sure you are competent. Your work will be assessed at your place of work.
Skills are similar to Maths and English GCSEs, however learning is focussed around Hospitality & Catering. For example, you will learn how to calculate the cost of a job for a client and then learn the best way to make your proposal to a prospective client!
Further Progression
Being qualified will open many doors to you. You will be able to show your employer that, along with being qualified, you have also shown commitment, dedication and professionalism.
This could lead to promotion, higher rates of pay, or managerial opportunities.
