BBC Apprentice finalist Saira Khan launches Mitchells & Butler's new apprenticeship scheme

To mark National Apprenticeship Week​ the company behind All Bar One, Harvester, Toby Carvery, Browns and Sizzling Pubs is launching the Hospitality Management Development Apprenticeship, created in partnership with Lifetime Training.

Open to 16-19 year olds, the scheme will allow trainees to combine study with practical on the job training across front and back of house roles.

Jan Smallbone, director of learning and talent development at Michtells & Butlers, said: “We didn’t just want to develop a successful apprenticeship scheme; we wanted M&B to offer the best scheme in the hospitality industry.

“Our apprentices will work across our portfolio of brands, learn from our experienced teams, gain a professional qualification and have a real opportunity to progress up the ladder. Your career really can start with us and help us harness a pipeline of talent for the future.”

The three year programme will support team members from Intermediate (Level 2) to Higher (Level 4) apprenticeship completion. There is also the potential for apprentices to move on to a degree level qualification at university.

Khan said: “As a business woman I believe it is essential that we offer young people the opportunity to get excited about business. By launching this new scheme Mitchells & Butlers are creating a secure pathway for their apprentices to explore business, build confidence and gain skills that set them up for life.”

The new scheme will begin recruiting from March and will add to the 1400 apprentices currently working across Mitchells & Butlers.

In 2014 the company was named in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list​, having delivered over 10,000 apprenticeships in six years.