Catering and hospitality apprentices from Charnwood Training Group, Compass Group, De Vere Hospitality Academy, Greene King and Spirit Pub Company have helped the Deputy Prime Minister launch a new campaign to celebrate the productivity of apprentices.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg officially launched the ‘made by apprentices’ campaign to showcase the talents of apprentices at the National Apprenticeship Week Admiralty House reception.
At the unique event, which itself was made by apprentices, the hospitality apprentices provided savoury and sweet canapés as well as serving the VIPs and other apprentices.
The wider campaign will go onto recognise the contribution of apprentices around the country, by asking them to put their names to their handiwork. It will see employers across the country join together to highlight the productivity of apprentices and encourage more businesses to offer Apprenticeships.
Initially focussed on regional events and national social media activity, the campaign will continue with colleges and employers encouraged to stage local events to celebrate the products and services made by apprentices throughout the year.
The campaign will culminate in activity during the summer to promote Apprenticeships to employers and as an exciting career route to school leavers.
Among the employers taking part in the nationwide campaign are apprentices from& BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, Berthon Boat Company in Dorset, fashion brand Dr Martens in Northamptonshire, Monarch Airlines in Luton and the V&A Museum in London. Apprentices at each have made a small piece of history by signing their names on a submarine, a refurbished yacht, iconic DM boots, an aeroplane and a theatre exhibition.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said: “Apprentices not only make an invaluable contribution to their employer, but to the economy as a whole. We’ve seen a record number of businesses clamouring to take on apprentices and that’s because they know what a huge difference the talent and ambition they bring can make. We’re also making it simple and rewarding for companies to take on apprentices – from mechanics to the hospitality trade. I'm delighted to welcome so many apprentices to Admiralty House, to recognise their hard work and achievement and to see their creative talents, such as fashion design and car engineering, showcased. Apprenticeships should be seen as just as valuable as academic qualifications and give hard-working young people the chance to aim high for their dream job.”
Canapés for the reception were made by apprentices from Greene King and Spirit Pub Company, who are trained by Charnwood Training Group, and Restaurant Associates (part of Compass Group). They were served to VIPs by De Vere Hospitality Academy apprentices. Meanwhile, apprentices from Aston Martin, Bentley and Huddersfield Textile Centre of Excellence exhibited the luxury cars andfashion products they have created.
Hospitality as a Career Choice
Jeremy Scorer, founder and managing partner of Charnwood Training Group, said: “We were honoured to be asked to select apprentices for the Deputy Prime Minister’s reception. What a fantastic experience for these six young learners. We’re passionate about the many benefits that Apprenticeships bring to hospitality employers. Indeed, we have our own programme of activity running to support National Apprenticeship Week, including a made by apprentices lunch in the Charnwood Academy. The publicity surrounding this week affords a superb opportunity to promote hospitality as a great career choice, not just a job, and highlight the fact that Apprenticeships are a key factor in making that a reality.
“Some 1,700 Greene King employees are currently in learning on an Apprenticeship – that’s around 10% of its retail employees – and the company is benefiting from skilled and committed employees building genuine long-term careers with progression into supervisory and management roles. Meanwhile, Spirit Pub Company has over 550 apprentices across its estate and research shows that 89% of apprentices are still with the business one year on while 49% have progressed.”
Charlotte Bonser, 19, Hospitality Guild’s Intermediate Apprentice of the Year, said:“It was an incredible evening – meeting the Deputy Prime Minister is something I will never forget! I felt extremely proud to stand alongside some of the top apprentices in the country and talk about the great opportunities I have been given thanks to myapprenticeship with Spirit.”
Talking about his experience, Alastair Halbert, 17, said: “When I started my trainingwith Greene King I never imagined it would take me so far! Bringing the skills I havelearnt through my Apprenticeship to such a high profile event was fantastic and hasshown me just how far the right training really can take you."
As National Apprenticeship Week draws to a close, employers and colleges arebeing encouraged to follow suit by getting their apprentices to make their markon the goods or services they produce and post their pictures via Twitter, Flickrand Pinterest using the hashtags #Madebyapprentices and #NAW2013. The bestimages will be featured on the Prime Minister’s Pinterest Page and the National
Apprenticeship Service will continue to promote ‘made by apprentices’ throughout the year.
David Way, Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “Apprentices are vital to businesses up and down the country, so it’s great to see them getting the recognition they deserve and giving them the chance to put their own stamp on some of Britain’s most iconic products. National Apprenticeship Week is a chance for employers to celebrate how Apprenticeships deliver for their business and I would encourage more to post or tweet pictures of their own goods or services which are made by apprentices.”
The Deputy Prime Minister was also joined at the reception by apprentices from companies he has visited throughout the country, as well as by runners-up and winners up of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2012.
