Jonathan Foot, Head of Apprenticeships and Early Careers

It’s been a busy 12 months at Compass Group UK & Ireland since the last National
Apprenticeship Week.

Our Apprentices are a credit and an inspiration to many throughout
the business and you’ll see some great examples of this in the coming days.

This week is all
about celebrating apprenticeships and we’ve done some important work which we hope will
attract more people to consider becoming an apprentice.

We have revisited our food and support services apprenticeships and launched ‘Food
Connected’ and ‘Support Services Connected’.

By working closely with our partners, training
providers and colleges, we have developed programmes which take apprentices from Level 2
to degree Levels 6 and 7.

Clear career pathways have been created to offer genuine
opportunities for all roles and ages across all business sectors at Compass – it’s never been
easier for our people to see how they can develop and progress through the company.

We wanted our entry-level culinary apprentices to get a taste of what’s to come. They can
now be inspired with an opportunity to work and support at some of our great events and
famed locations in order to support their skills development and career progression.

Our Level 3 culinary programme can be a springboard for apprentices to progress onto our
ultimate culinary apprenticeship led by Marcus Wareing – Forward.

Launched just six
months ago, this landmark programme was shaped by Marcus himself, our executive culinary
team and HIT Training, to challenge candidates with real-life experiences and one-to-one
mentoring from one of the UK’s most respected chefs.

Such is the success of our collaboration with Marcus, we will be starting the selection
process for the second cohort in readiness for them to start in the Autumn this year.

In line with the Compass Group UK & Ireland Climate Promise, we’re also delighted to be
able to offer an MSC Level 7 Sustainability Business Specialists apprenticeship in partnership
with Cranfield University. It is the first course of its kind and we already have two keen
colleagues enrolled for the inaugural intake.

Last year was an award-winning year for our Apprenticeship and Early Career programmes,
and it looks like this year could be just as successful as we’ve already been shortlisted for
two awards at the forthcoming Springboard Awards for Excellence!

None of the above would be possible without our incredible partners, who we’re fortunate
to work alongside.

Thanks go to Aston University, Babington Training, Care Leaver Covenant,
Cranfield University, Corndel & Mumsnet, HIT Training, Innovative Awarding, Springboard,
SR Supply Chain Consultants, TSP Learn, Ralph Trustees Ltd, Aston Villa Football Club,
Peppermint Events, Fresh Direct, KERB, The Clink Charity, Fordhall Farm, South Pole, and
The Master Chefs of Great Britain.

Apprenticeships have come a very long way. My advice to everyone is to take a look at
what’s on offer here, it might just change your life!

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