Leading food and support services provider, Compass Group UK & Ireland, has been awarded an Ofsted Grade 2 ‘good’, for its apprenticeship programmes. The inspection highlighted that Compass demonstrates effective leadership and management and provides good quality teaching, learning and assessment.
Compass was particularly recognised for having a well qualified, highly enthusiastic and experienced learning and development team, who help learners improve their English and mathematics. They were also acknowledged for helping participants develop good employability and personal skills, which in turn raises ambition and improves career prospects.
Comprehensive curriculum
Compass first launched apprenticeships in 2006, and now offers a comprehensive curriculum which ranges from Intermediate to Higher level. This includes apprenticeships in leadership and management, professional cookery and facilities management.
As a business, Compass has provided over 2500 apprenticeship opportunities in the past three years alone. Compass is also leading the way by being active members of the National and Regional Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, to support wider initiatives throughout UK business.
Chef Academy
In August 2012, Compass launched one of its flagship apprenticeship programmes – ‘Chef Academy’. This offers 16-23 year olds the opportunity to develop their culinary skills and earn while they learn, preparing young people with essential life and business skills required for further employment and progression. 2014 saw 60 people start their apprenticeship and intake numbers continue to grow.
Fiona Ryland, HR Director, Compass Group UK & Ireland commented: “To have our apprenticeship programmes recognised by Ofsted and to receive a Grade 2, is testament to our dedication to delivering quality learning and development across our business and developing talent.
“Great people are at the very core of our business and are fundamental to its success. I strongly believe we have a responsibility to give our colleagues a choice, and equip people with the right skills and opportunities to develop their future careers – apprenticeships are a perfect way of doing this and shows how we’re investing in our people to grow their careers and in turn our business.”
This comes as the Government announced they had reached the landmark of 2 million people starting an apprenticeship during this Parliament.