Compass Group UK & Ireland apprentices shine at graduation ceremony

Compass Group UK & Ireland, the UK’s largest food and support services firm, celebrated 200 of their apprentices graduating at the stunning setting of the Pavilion Terrace at the Houses of Parliament.

With nearly 600 apprentices already honing their crafts within Compass, and a further 3000 qualified over the past four years, this year’s cohort of graduates marks the company’s highest number to date.

The event was hosted by Nadhim Zahawi MP, Apprenticeships Advisor to former Prime Minister David Cameron, while the Houses of Parliament served as a memorable location for the apprentices who have now officially completed their courses. The apprentices range from a variety of culinary apprentices, through to frontline roles in facilities cleaning, retail and security services through to office, team leader and leadership and management roles.

Karen Woodward, Deputy Director of Employer Relations at the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), spoke at the event, congratulating the apprentice graduates on their achievements while also reaffirming the Government’s commitment to apprenticeships and the valuable role they play in business. Dennis Hogan and Fiona Ryland, Managing Director and HR Director at Compass Group UK & Ireland, both spoke about the invaluable importance of apprentices to the company and praised the hard work of those graduating.

Nadhim Zahawi MP, former Apprenticeship Advisor to the Prime Minister, commented:
“Investment in apprenticeships is absolutely integral. With apprenticeships predicted to add £3.4 billion to the economy by 2022, it is these talented individuals who will be the driving force of our country in future decades.

“I would like to congratulate Compass Group UK & Ireland on a proud day for their business. For so many apprentices to officially complete their courses is an excellent achievement. Their commitment to offering high-quality apprenticeships sets a great example for others to follow and demonstrates how the company is fully committed to offering young people a real start in their careers.”

Karen Woodward, Deputy Director: Employer Relations at the Skills Funding Agency added:
“High quality apprenticeships can benefit both those starting off in work as well as those in work looking to develop their skills and their careers. Through the many courses offered it is possible to progress along a clear career path, gaining professional skills and accreditation. I applaud Compass Group for fully embracing apprenticeships to both drive its competitiveness as well as giving apprentices transferable skills and key industry knowledge and experience.”

Dennis Hogan, Managing Director, Compass Group UK & Ireland concluded:
“The importance of high-quality, inclusive apprenticeships cannot be underestimated. People are at the very core of our business and we recognise that much of our future talent will come from our apprentices. Those apprentices who graduated today, came to us with a hunger to learn and have developed into productive and engaged colleagues.

“We have seen first-hand the great benefits there are for both the employer and the individual when a company invests in highly skilled apprenticeships. I am so proud of what our apprentices have achieved and would like to congratulate each and every one of them.”

In March 2016, at the start of National Apprenticeship Week, Compass Group announced their commitment to delivering 1500 new apprenticeships by 2017. The apprenticeship programme is led by Melanie Hayes, Resourcing and Development Director for Compass, who sits on the Government’s Apprenticeship Delivery Board (ADB).

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Notes to editors:

Information relating to the external parties
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