The Get into Hospitality programme will be piloted in the West Midlands. Twelve unemployed young people aged between 16-25 years will be given the opportunity to join a free, two-week training programme, to learn about all aspects of the hospitality sector.
Malcolm Redmond, a spokesman from Whitbread, said: “We’re delighted to be working with The Prince’s Trust to provide an opportunity to get these young adults back into the world of work and on their way to building a future within the hospitality sector.
“It’s worrying to hear that around one in five young people in the UK are not in work, education or training, costing the UK economy £155m a week in Jobseeker’s Allowance and lost productivity.”
Individuals will gain a qualification in Foundation Food safety, along with six-months mentoring support from The Prince’s Trust following the completion of the programme. Successful participants will then be given the opportunity to complete a Whitbread apprenticeship, including an NVQ level 2.
A Prince’s Trust spokesperson added: “The Prince’s Trust’s Get into Hospitality course provides a great opportunity for young people to gain valuable work experience to help them find a job.
“We are thrilled to be working with Whitbread to ensure that we are doing all we can for disadvantaged young people here in the West Midlands.”
Whitbread, which includes the UK’s biggest budget hotel chain Premier Inn and pub restaurants Beefeater Grill and Brewers Fayre, launched the programme on Monday in Barn and Hockley Heath.