Thurrock based Nathan Racey, an apprentice Chef at the British multinational contract foodservice company, Compass Group, who currently works at Tottenham Hotspur FC, virtually met Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills, Gillian Keegan MP, last week when he participated in the fifth annual Hospitality Apprenticeship Showcase, that was taken online this year.
The Hospitality Apprenticeship Showcase (HAS), which aims to unite the industry to showcase the diverse range of opportunities available in the sector, was particularly poignant this year after the challenges the industry has faced during the pandemic. However, the mood was positive in spite of this, with its youngest and brightest stars displaying their drive to get back to work, and enthusiasm for re-engaging with the industry they love, after lockdown.
The event hosted a cross-section of the hospitality sector, highlighting the dedication to the training and development of people across a diverse range of careers, from front and back-of-house; brewing and engineering, to all the professional disciplines required to run a company.
Nearly 1,000 people tuned in to view the event and watch apprentices from across the industry get up close and personal with Gillian Keegan MP, as they posed a range of questions, without shying away from the difficult issues around the current situation in hospitality and future of apprenticeships.
The event, which normally takes the form of an interactive event at the House of Commons saw Mike Wood MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group and sector specialist and MD of HIT Training, Jill Whittaker, welcome the attendees and manage the lively session.
