The Rye Hospitality Guild’s unique apprenticeship programme featured significantly in a launch by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd, MP for Hastings and Rye on Friday, June 21 at Sussex College.
The Guild, which is a collection of Rye’s restaurants and hotels, is running a programme this year for a Level 2 Apprenticeship either in a chef role or as a hospitality team member. Supported by Sussex Colleges, the programme is unique because it features employer-led learning in the workplace plus paid employment. Additional benefits include visits to suppliers and outstanding restaurants and hotels plus lectures by those in the industry.
Originally only for 16-18 year olds, the apprenticeship is now open to anyone over 16 including those returning to work, for example after family or carer duties, or a career change.
Amber Rudd said she would be looking at the programme carefully to see what could be learned nationally from this Rye initiative, which is led by Martin Blincow from the Mermaid Inn, and supported by councillor Rebekah Gilbert. Martin said: “It has taken us nearly two years to get here as we have sought support from education deliverers and raised awareness of the opportunities offered by hospitality, the 4th largest employer in the UK. Now that Sussex Colleges and East Sussex County Council are behind us, it is great news that we can extend this opportunity to all adults eligible to take part.”
If you know of anyone interested in learning more about the scheme, contact Martin at mermaidinnadmin@btconnect.com
Image Credits: Rye News library .