Leisure and Hospitality Apprenticeships

Can you do an apprenticeship in hospitality?

You most certainly can! The leisure, catering and hospitality sector is one of the fastest-moving industries, and the third largest in the UK. It covers far more than restaurants and hotels - it includes nightclubs, cafes, bars, conference centres, leisure facilities and more.

Here are some areas where you can do an apprenticeship:

How do leisure and hospitality apprenticeships work?

Leisure, catering and hospitality apprenticeships are tailored programmes that allow you to receive on-the-job training while studying towards industry-recognised qualifications.

When you do an apprenticeship, you'll be working for a real employer, with most of your time (around 80%) spent actually doing the job, and the other 20% set aside for studying at a college or training provider.

They can last anywhere from 12 months to 5 years, depending on what you're training for.

The best bit? You get paid the whole time. No student loans, no waiting until you graduate - just a real wage while you learn.

Apprenticeships come in four levels, depending on your age and experience:

If you're starting your career at age 16, a level 2 apprenticeship is the one for you. Once you've gained experience and built a good set of skills, you can move up to a level 3 or higher.

What courses are in hospitality?

There's a wide range of hospitality and catering apprenticeships available. Here are some examples (with a company you could apply to):

• Barista apprenticeship (Starbucks)

• Commis Chef apprenticeship (St Austell Brewery)

• Events assistant apprenticeship (Channel 4, Porsche)

• Baker apprenticeship (Morrisons)

• Hospitality manager apprenticeship (Fortnum & Mason, Whitbread)

As an apprentice, you'll work in a range of environments - bars or restaurants, conference centres - and you'll develop an understanding of how the hospitality industry works while developing strong customer service skills.

A course in hospitality will teach you everything you need to know about people management. Plus, it'll train you up in other areas, too, like leadership and marketing. 

Hospitality management apprenticeships

If you've completed a level 2 and level 3 apprenticeship OR have experience supervising people in the hospitality sector, apply for the Level 4 Hospitality Management Higher Apprenticeship programme with HIT Training… and earn yourself an NVQ level 4 qualification in hospitality management.

What you’ll learn:

• How a company works: what its aims and objectives are

• How to carry out effective customer service

• How to nurture talent and get the best out of your employees

As a hospitality manager, you'll lead commercial strategies, manage budgets, maintain financial records, supervise staff, oversee maintenance, and handle customer concerns.

What qualifications do you need for hospitality?

You don't need specific qualifications to start out in hospitality. However, some employers will ask for GCSEs in Maths, English and Science graded at levels 9 to 4 (A* to C).

You might be asking yourself, "Why science?"

Hospitality involves understanding human behaviour - how people interact, what makes good service, and how to create positive experiences. The social sciences (anthropology, psychology, sociology, linguistics, politics, economics) all contribute to this understanding.

Think about the server who recommended their favourite dishes or the hotel concierge who shared local tips - their personable approach enhanced your experience.

How long is a catering apprenticeship?

Catering apprenticeships take 12-18 months to complete. You'll gain hands-on experience and work-based training that prepares you for the industry. Schools, colleges, hospitals and universities all have their own catering departments, giving you plenty op options.

Who would it suit?

To work in catering and hospitality, you'll need:

• To be a great team player

• Have excellent communication skills

• A strong work ethic

• Bundles of energy and enthusiasm

Be prepared to work long hours, including evenings and weekends. The schedule can be demanding, but if you're ready for that commitment, it's a rewarding path.

What jobs can I do?

As a catering apprentice, you'll start your career as an assistant, most likely a waiter. You'll learn how restaurants operate, from pricing to menu choices and meet lots of people too. 

With experience, you can move into roles like restaurant manager or food manufacturing inspector.

What can I earn?

You'll receive at least the National Minimum Wage for apprentices, though many employers pay more. In London, you could earn around £23,000 per year, depending on your role and level.

How do I become a chef apprentice?

Maybe you've grown up watching a family member cook, or you realised you actually really enjoyed food tech in school. A chef apprenticeship could be your next step.

Chefs are hospitality professionals responsible for innovating food production and perfecting cuisine. As an apprentice, you can specialise in areas like butchering, meat processing, or beverages - preparing and serving wines and cocktails.

Becoming a chef requires training, and an apprenticeship helps you develop the skills needed to work in a kitchen.

Commis chef

Starting as a commis chef is an entry-level position designed for anyone wanting to break into the industry.

As a commis chef, you'll perform a wide range of tasks given to you by the chef de partie. One moment you'll be measuring ingredients and helping out with deliveries, the next assisting with stock rotation to ensure that ingredients have been used before their expiry dates.

Find out which training providers near you offer commis chef apprenticeships.

Leisure apprenticeships

The leisure industry includes gyms, cinemas, swimming pools, sports facilities, and more. If you're outgoing, passionate about sport, and enjoy working with people, a career in leisure could suit you.

You might become a tennis coach, teach windsurfing, or work in fitness management.

Discover which companies are offering leisure apprenticeships by checking out the list below...

• Places Leisure

• Institute of Swimming

• Everybody Health & Leisure

• Everyone Active

• Lifetime Training

• Bourne Leisure

• Abbeycroft Leisure

Working in a kitchen creates strong bonds with colleagues - there's a sense of teamwork similar to being on a sports team.

Working in leisure and hospitality isn't just a job. It's a lifestyle. You'll make new friends, experience different cultures and live and breathe the social scene around you. That's a whole new level of adventure.

Hope you enjoy the ride!