Hospitality Apprenticeship Week 2025: Powered by People

Jonathan Foot, Director of Skills and Early Careers at Compass Group UK & Ireland

This week, we’re celebrating Hospitality Apprenticeship Week, a chance to showcase the diverse career paths and opportunities available across our sector. The theme, “Powered by People,” highlights the skills, ambitions, and dedication of individuals driving our industry forward.

Apprenticeships play a crucial role in this journey - offering a first step on the career ladder, opening doors for entry-level talent, career changers, and those new to the industry, and creating pathways for growth at all levels.

Every day I have the privilege of seeing the positive impact apprenticeships have on people’s lives. Many people can enter apprenticeships feeling apprehensive and lacking confidence - the transformation by the end of our programmes is always fantastic to see. Apprenticeships really do have the power to change people’s lives.

Growing Together: Developing Careers in Hospitality

At Compass, our commitment to Grow Together means creating learning and development opportunities that help people thrive while building a business that grows alongside them.

Currently, we have over 600 people enrolled in apprenticeship programmes, ranging from Level 2 up to Degree Level 6, across more than 40 subjects—including culinary, facilities management, business management, finance, HR, events, and IT.

We continue to invest in signature programmes such as Forward with Marcus Wareing and regional initiatives like Elevate in Scotland, providing structured development paths and mentoring to help our people progress in their careers.

Our apprenticeship programmes are not just about skills, they are about empowering individuals to grow, take on new challenges, and achieve their career ambitions.

Changing Lives: Delivering Our Social Promise

Apprenticeships are a vital part of Helping People Change Lives, reflecting our Mission to a Million - part of Our Social Promise. By tackling socio-economic disadvantage, we provide meaningful opportunities for those who might face barriers to employment.

Over the past year, we’ve partnered with organisations such as Movement to Work’s YouthPath, Street League, and DWP, helping young people explore hospitality and build skills. Since launch, our Junior Chef Academy has welcomed over 250 students aged 14–16, introducing them to the world of hospitality and inspiring future careers. These initiatives are a testament to the difference we can make when we combine skills development with social impact—ensuring more people have the chance to succeed.

Celebrating success 

We are proud that our apprenticeship programmes have been recognised for excellence in the past year. This includes:

• Named a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer by the Department for Education and RateMyApprenticeship
• Winning awards at The Institute of Hospitality Awards and the Public Sector Catering Awards
• Multiple nominations in the upcoming Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards

These accolades reflect the hard work, dedication, and talent of our apprentices and teams and a reminder of what we can achieve when we invest in people.

Stories of growth 

We have countless stories of individuals who have completed or are undertaking apprenticeships and are now thriving in their roles, taking on new responsibilities, and building long-term careers in hospitality.

I would like to say a huge thank you to our apprenticeship team for the support they provide and also to our apprentices to carrying out the programmes with such great enthusiasm and commitment.

Career Pathways | Early Careers | Compass Group UK&I

Over to some of the brilliant Apprenticeships Team

Luke Ford, Senior Operations Manager Apprenticeships 

"The Forward with Marcus Wareing programme continues to go from strength to strength. Since 2021, 38 senior chefs have graduated, acheieving a 100% distinction rate in their Senior Culinary Level 4 Apprenticeship. I absolutely love seeing the programme—and the people within it—grow, evolve, and reach their full potential.”

Steve Leek, Wellbeing Manager Skills & Early Careers

“At Compass UK & I, we stay closely connected with our apprentices throughout their journey. Regular check-ins mean we can celebrate their progress, spot challenges early, and provide the right support before small issues become bigger ones. Just as importantly, we focus on their wellbeing — both in and outside of work — signposting to help where it’s needed and ensuring they always feel supported. Our approach is about wrap-around care from start to finish, creating an open channel of communication so every apprentice feels heard, valued, and set up for success.”

Callum Greene, Operations Manager Xcelerate

“Xcelerate with Edgbaston is our regional skills and learning hub, a £1 million facility dedicated to developing talent across the hospitality sector. Since opening, the hub has trained over 3,500 people, delivering programmes in Culinary, Barista, and Bar Excellence, and hosting events such as careers fairs that connect people to opportunities.

“The most rewarding part of the past year has been seeing participants engage in programmes that introduce them to the world of hospitality. We’re not just teaching skills—we’re opening doors to an entire industry and helping people explore careers they may never have imagined. That’s truly exciting.”