The hospitality and tourism industry is the fourth largest industry in the UK, employing over 2 million people. From inventing breath-taking menus to creating unforgettable experiences for guests, making sure that we recruit the best and investing in young people is hugely important to Mitchells & Butlers. From our apprenticeship schemes through to our University graduate programme, we are dedicated to opening doors for young talent, providing a genuine alternative to academic study and a real path to a long-term career in hospitality.

But with so many opportunities available to young people, hospitality can often get overlooked. That’s why for the upcoming National Apprenticeship Shows, we’re teaming up with fellow pub and restaurant chains Greene King and Marston’s to make sure our message is heard by future talent, loud and clear. Collectively, we’re exhibiting as ‘Loving Hospitality’ highlighting the best in hospitality apprenticeships to young people and their influencers across the UK.

Speaking of the partnership, our Director of Learning and Talent Development Jan Smallbone spoke to us about why she believes it’s important to take this collective approach;

“The ‘Loving Hospitality’ collaboration is about making sure as representatives of the hospitality industry rather than individual brands, we both educate and inspire career advisors and young people about the benefits working in our industry can bring. We want to work together to showcase how an apprenticeship in hospitality is rewarding, flexible and can be the right first steps for so many young people looking to make their mark.

“Too often there can be preconceptions surrounding apprenticeships from those looking to support young people through the tricky twists and turns of future career choices. But with a hospitality apprenticeships, there’s  many opportunities for success! For example, through our hospitality management apprenticeships, there is the opportunity for apprentices to progress from apprentice to Assistant Manager in two and a half years!

“Breaking the stigma around hospitality apprenticeships is so important in tackling the skills shortages challenge facing the industry, as we aim to develop, train and champion the future leaders of hospitality. Our mix also means our talent can get exposure to different skills, then decide which role best suits their career aspirations. By joining forces with both Greene King and Marston’s, we are able to show the full range of opportunities an apprenticeship can bring to young people, the variety of roles they can progress into and the ground-breaking businesses they can be involved with.”

With such a great variety of opportunities on offer, from a role in the kitchen to a hospitality management apprenticeship there really is something to wet everyone’s appetite – to find out more, head over to www.lovinghospitality.co.uk