While London mayor Boris Johnson announced his target to reach 20,000 apprentices this year, Compass Group UK & Ireland made its own offering 1,600 apprenticeship places to its employees in 2011-12.
Compass has provided apprenticeship opportunities for many years, each year increasing the number of places substantially: in 2009-10, 750 employees completed an apprenticeship; in 2010-11, the number increased to 950 and for the year ahead Compass has set a target of 1,600.
Apprenticeships are open to all site-based employees including assistants, chefs, supervisors and managers and cover a vast number of subjects such as Professional Cookery, Hospitality Supervision, Leadership and Management as well as role-specific subjects including cleaning, portering, business services and food and beverage.
The most recent apprenticeship to be added to the qualifications portfolio is facilities management which was completed by the first ten applicants in September 2010.
Compass HR director Vicky Williams said: “Investing in people is incredibly important in the service industry. We believe in nurturing talent within the company, providing experience and formal qualifications to create managers and leaders of the future. We were really pleased that some of Compass’ apprentices joined the Mayor of London to mark both the national and Compass pledges.”
To celebrate the target, 13 of Compass’ apprentices joined the Mayor of London at City Hall on Tuesday 5 July for a photo call.
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