Two apprentices storm ahead to complete new hospitality standards

Two apprentices have been named as the first to successfully complete the new hospitality apprenticeship standards.

Supported by HIT Training, Hannah Holden from Curve Theatre in Leicester and Chris Wilcox from The Grove in Hertfordshire have both achieved the Hospitality Team Member Apprenticeship – with Chris earning himself a coveted Distinction.

HIT Training is the first national hospitality training provider to have apprentices complete the new apprenticeship standards, with Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) carrying out the end point assessment.

Jill Whittaker, Managing Director at HIT Training, commented: “With the switch off of frameworks, the apprenticeship standards become compulsory for the hospitality industry from 31^st December but we’ve been offering them to our clients for the past year. Designed by industry employers, they will make a huge difference to businesses within the hospitality sector, as they encourage apprentices to take a more forward-thinking, business-like and creative approach to learning. They also allow employers greater flexibility to offer bespoke, high-quality development programmes.

“There has been some nervousness surrounding the standards switchover and the introduction of end point assessment process. However, the success Chris and Hannah have achieved and the positive feedback we’ve received from employers who are already implementing the standards, demonstrate that good preparation leads to fantastic results.”

Annette Allmark, Director of Strategic Policy at People 1^st, added: “We are delighted to see the first apprentices from HIT Training complete the new hospitality apprenticeship standards. As one of the first providers to be recognised by People 1st for its ‘gold standard’ service to employers, and with its proactive approach to embracing the changes to apprenticeships, HIT Training continues to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring employers and apprentices get the maximum value from the new standards. We look forward to hearing how these learners develop and progress to the next stage of their careers.”

As part of its commitment to offer the highest quality training schemes, HIT introduced the Hospitality Supervisor, Team Leader, Chef de Partie and Customer Service Practitioner apprenticeship standards earlier this year, as well as Commis Chef and Hospitality Team Member apprenticeship standards in 2016. 

About HIT Training (Hospitality Industry Training): HIT Training is the leading training and apprenticeship provider for the hospitality and catering sector. Having supported over 100,000 learners across 20,000 employer sites throughout the country, at HIT we offer a huge range of apprenticeships and development schemes for people at all levels, from school-leavers to senior management.

Founded in 2006, our award-winning expert trainers have vast amounts of experience in helping companies to up-skill their employees, having each enjoyed successful careers in the field themselves. Our team supports and sits right alongside apprentices through their career journeys with expert advice, creativity and passion and, because they’ve all been there, they understand that each apprentice’s journey is different and each employer’s requirements are unique.

Our team takes the time to get to know every individual and business we work with to find the best training solutions to meet all end goals, improve team motivation, increase the quality of services and boost businesses’ profitability. In the last year alone, HIT delivered over a quarter of all hotel and catering apprenticeships in England and helped more than 20,000 people gain a qualification, apprenticeship or job.