The BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week (March 11-15) with the launch of a new partnership with leading apprenticeship providers Lifetime Training. The partnership will take the BII’s apprenticeship out to thousands more learners and signals a major vote of confidence in the pub trade as a profession with excellent career prospects for its workforce.
BII Licensed Hospitality Apprenticeships
The BII Licensed Hospitality Apprenticeships will be the first of their kind for Lifetime Training, offering in-depth education on skills specific to the pub trade including beer and cellar quality and licensed retail operations. The BII apprenticeship is also unique as it’s the only apprenticeship framework that includes the Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) as part of the programme.
BII Director of Education & Training Tim Burrows said:
“We are delighted that a respected, national apprenticeship provider like Lifetime Training has recognised the scope and potential of our Licensed Hospitality Apprenticeship. With around 52,000 pubs in the UK and an estimated 600,000-strong workforce, the pub trade represents a significant employment opportunity for a large segment of the UK’s working population, and a substantial commercial opportunity for Lifetime Training.
“This partnership sends a signal to prospective employees that the pub trade can provide a viable, credible career path for ambitious and talented individuals, and is another nail in the coffin for the out-dated perception that pubs offer only short-term work, for low-skilled and low-pay employees.”
Prospective trainees will be recruited through direct partnerships with both major pub chains and independent licensees as well via the Lifetime Training’s telesales team.
Cost-effective route to skill development
Commenting on the partnership, Lifetime Training Chief Executive Alex Khan said:
“Training a professional workforce with the required skills and motivating them to deliver exceptional customer service will help build a more successful pub industry. The BII’s Licensed Hospitality Apprenticeships will help achieve just that. They offer learners a cost-effective route to skill development in a work environment that is very popular amongst young people and will contribute to driving greater productivity and staff retention – key issues for employers.
“Lifetime Training are experts in recruiting and training young talent into the industry and are delighted to partner with the BII in delivering these qualifications which encourage long-term investment in staff development and offers learners a great range of career options in a growing sector.”
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