New hospitality apprenticeship scheme from De Vere Academy

Young people looking to build a career in restaurants, hotels and pubs and bars will be able to get access to a new apprenticeship scheme from 1 February 2012, The De Vere Academy of Hospitality have announced.

The programme will see hospitality apprentices complete a short 'Access to Apprenticeships' foundation phase to prepare them for the sector and show they have the required commitment before they commence the actual apprenticeship.

Once on the scheme apprentices will complete a minimum of 12 months in full employment with De Vere or one of their partners.

De Vere have consulted with the National Apprenticeship Scheme (NAS) on the changes to the academy's existing programme to fit new apprenticeship standards.

"We are confident that the new delivery model proposed by De Vere, which provides young people with a minimum of 12 months programme, meets the comprehensive quality standards for apprenticeship announced today, as well as continuing to meet the specific needs of employers in the sector and young people wanting to work in hospitality," said NAS chief executive Simon Waugh.

Waugh said: "Working in partnership with De Vere we will help small employers to access the recently announced wage incentive and engage in the apprenticeship programme."

The De Vere Academy of Hospitality

With nine sites across the UK and plans to open another seven, the academy run by De Vere aims to train 10,000 apprentices over the next three years.

Potential apprentices do not need any formal qualifications to join the academy and in return they are provided with real industry experience and lessons from tutors who are experts in their field.

The De Vere Academy of Hospitality managing director Kellie Rixon said: “At a time of increasing youth unemployment, the De Vere Academy now has an even more robust structure that will allow more and more young people to become stars in the UK catering, hospitality, and service sectors, and we look forward to continue working closely with all of our valued partners who support us in our joint initiative."