Most restaurant workers think apprenticeships are solely for school-leavers

Restaurant businesses across the UK who continue to battle staffing issues are missing a key opportunity to attract ambitious talent and upskill their existing employees – keeping them in job roles for longer as a result. 

Findings from a new toolkit developed by HIT Training called See V, reveal that more than three-quarters (77%) of people would take a job if it came with the prospect of developing their skills via an apprenticeship. 

However, the toolkit, which aims to redefine outdated perceptions around this type of lifelong learning pathway, found that less than half of businesses (46.3%) offer apprenticeships to staff at all career levels, and most employees (58.5%) believe apprenticeships are for school leavers.

In fact, only one quarter of employees (25.9%) see apprenticeships as a viable training option for anyone at any stage of their career. Yet courses are available for entry level candidates, right up to company leaders. 

“There are huge misconceptions around hospitality apprenticeships in the UK,” says Jill Whittaker OBE, Managing Director of HIT Training. “Most sector employees believe they are only for those leaving school, and less than half of businesses offer this flexible training option to workers at all career stages, meaning there are great swathes of employees around the country with untapped potential talent, or who think they have no means to diversify their skills while remaining with their current employer.

“We’re dedicated to educating hospitality employers on the benefits that apprenticeships can bring an entire workforce, not just new starters – such as improved wellbeing, better career progression and a more loyal team less likely to seek better opportunities elsewhere. 

“I urge any operator who’s interested in nurturing their team and wants to transform the ambition many employees harbour into useful skillsets to download our new See V toolkit.”

The See V toolkit aims to look beyond the traditional experience-based CV, and shares insights from leading HR professionals on how to spot signs of talent hiding within a hospitality team – from front- and back-of house right up to senior leadership.

Restaurant businesses keen to keep hold of their valued team, and who want to learn to spot ambition hiding among individuals seeking a launchpad for their career progression, should download the See V toolkit today.