Chesterfield Apprentice showcases hospitality sector at House of Commons
During National Apprenticeship Week last week, Kobi Hawes, an apprentice at Global Brands Ltd met the local MP of Bolsover, Mark Fletcher, during the fourth annual Hospitality Apprenticeship Showcase held at the House of Commons.
Kobi who is an Apprentice in Accounts the Global Brands head office on Lockoford Lane in Chesterfield, took home a certificate, given to him by Mr Fletcher, to commend his contribution to hospitality and his part in changing the perception of the industry.
The event came at an important time, with attending businesses highlighting to MPs their current staff shortages, urging the government to do more to bridge the disconnect between job losses on flailing High Streets and the burgeoning hospitality industry.
The hospitality sector collectively invested £10bn in new business over the last year, which saw a further 4.3% growth in 2019, creating 19,000 new jobs. The sector is now responsible for creating 1 in 6 of all new employment positions in the UK.
The reception saw more than 200 representatives from the hospitality industry and MPs from across the UK come together to celebrate the burgeoning sector, lifted up by the dedication of the young apprentices thriving within the companies that they work.
The showcase welcomed Minister Helen Whately MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism), who addressed the apprentices and MPs on the importance of the hospitality sector on the UK’s tourism industry.
Minister Whatley said: “We want to give visitors to the UK a world class welcome and that depends on having a skilled hospitality workforce.”
“The Tourism Sector Deal is a bold commitment between Government and industry, and as part of this, our aim is for 30,000 apprenticeships to start each year to help strengthen the domestic workforce and support the future of the industry.”
Also speaking at the event was Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality, who said: “Last year’s launch of the tourism sector deal demonstrated the government’s recognition of the vital contribution made by the leisure, hospitality and tourism industries. Post-Brexit however, the industry faces a very challenging period, as ending the free movement of people will invariably lead to skills shortages in certain areas.”
“To fill the gaps, one obvious solution is to recruit more young British workers. Apprenticeships offer the perfect opportunity across all entry levels.”
“The government’s commitment to introduce 10,000 new apprenticeships in the sector each year is welcome, as is the work that is being done collectively by our industry to support investment in skills and career progression in hospitality roles.”
All the apprentices work directly with the companies, as they launch their careers within hospitality, a sector that offers a varied range of roles and opportunities across the UK. The industry supports 3.2m jobs, represents 10% of the economy’s employment, 6% of businesses and 5% of GDP, making hospitality the third largest private sector employer, double the size of the financial services industry and bigger than the automotive, pharmaceuticals and aerospace sectors combined.
The Hospitality Apprenticeship Showcase displays the vibrant pub, bar, brewing, hotel and casual dining sectors during National Apprenticeship Week. The event aims to shine a light on an exciting industry giving young people unique opportunities, as well as challenging the negative perception of careers in the Hospitality Industry and encouraging them to look at the sector as somewhere where they can pursue a rewarding career.
The hospitality industry collectively invested £10bn in new business over the last year, this saw the sector grow by a further 4.3% in 2019, creating 19,000 new jobs. The sector is now responsible for creating 1 in 6 of all new employment positions in the UK.
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