Cafe Manager Review
at Compass group
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Hospitality Management
Surrey
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Cafe Manager, managing a team of ten, scheduling, budgets, forecasting daily service at breakfast and lunch, hospitality bookings and HSE.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I am really enjoying being on the course, it gives me lots of opportunity to work with others doing the same course through Compass, and see other units and how they work. It has expanded my knowledge and broader understanding of the business, by giving real life experience through the training and activities. We also get to do supplier visits to farms, suppliers, and wine yards. I have also enjoyed having the opportunity to gain additional qualification while on the course such as WSET.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt new skills and developed new skills while on the course. A new skill i have learnt is DISC profiling and how to identify traits with in my team and how this could potentially be used to lead my team better with a deeper understanding of while people behave like they do you can lead them better and give them more opportunities suited to them. I have also developed a better understanding of financial documents such as forecasting and working out profit and loss and GP and what effects this, i also learned about MAP framework and how the business uses this. I am looking forward to seeing what other skills i will gain from my course.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The course is well structure and training days are known about in advance, and the content we are covering. Monthly check-ins scheduled with my tutor, who i can reach out to at any point if needed.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My manager gives me the time to complete my work and gives guidance when needed and shows me new skills when there is training opportunities. We also have additional support from people across the business, from past apprentices on the Collaborate course, L&D and other members of head office.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My trainer has been supportive and caring, i have had a few personal problems which was effecting my mental health and standard of work, my tutor noticed straight away and checked in with me to ask if i was ok and then put in a face to face check in (usually via zoom) the following week to come in to site to make sure i was ok and see what additional support i may need.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I feel that my work performance has improved due to the confidence i have gained from the course and the skills i have learnt.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
We have regular social events outside of work either with the internal team i work with or the wider business. Our employee networks do fantastic work getting people together, for example walking for wellbeing, day of cultural diversity pop up event, international women's day brunch to name a few. I recently took on my first half marathon with a colleague and we had other members of the team come out and cheer us on.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Compass group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
There are lots of opportunities for career development in the business, with career pathways, apprenticeship, we have career development conversations. We also have opportunity to move round sectors withing the group so there is lots of opportunity to find the job you enjoy and develop. We also have six employee network groups which we can be apart of who run regular activities and support to colleagues you feel as though you are part of a family and can bring your authentic self to work every day.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Compass group?
Go for it, they are a good employer were everyone gets equal opportunity. Particularly if your not sure what you want to do as a career as you will be supported if the job isn't right for you with possible placement somewhere else you could start as a barista and end in procurement for another sector, great training opportunities for you to find what you like. To be part of a family were you can truly be yourself at work with out judgement or discrimination is a good feeling and makes you happy to be at work.
