Hospitality businesses achieve boost from employing apprentices

Consumers are keen to support hotels and restaurants which employ apprentices, according to new research.

Data from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has found that the hospitality industry has the opportunity to boost revenues by employing apprentices, as 27% of consumers are likely to pay more for a meal that employs young trainees.

The CEBR's Benefits of Apprenticeships to Businesses report highlights that five million consumers would prefer to do business with companies which employ apprentices.

Overall, each apprentice in the hospitality and catering sector is estimated to deliver an average positive net gain of £5,896 to their employers, compared with an average of £1,670 achieved for apprentices across all other sectors in England.

The report found that two-thirds of the public were keen to support businesses which employ apprentices as they believe the training-on-the-job opportunity provides opportunities for young people and makes a valuable contribution to society.

Launched to mark the National Apprenticeship Week 2015, the report is part of a national drive to promote the benefits of apprenticeships, which number 2.1 million since 2010.

Business secretary Vince Cable said: "The benefits of apprenticeships are clear - they make a vital contribution to the economy, boost business productivity and give people the skills they need to get on in the world of work.

"As this research shows, there has been an important shift in the attitudes towards apprenticeships with businesses, consumers, and young people recognising the significant opportunities they can offer."

• Daniel Bianco, 19, has beaten off competition from 149 other entries to win the Premier Inn apprenticeship programme. Since joining the budget hotel group in 2013, Bianco has trained in all areas of the business, including stock control management and sales analysis, alongside gaining qualifications in Maths and English with the help of a Learning Support mentor.

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