National Apprenticeship Week and HIT Supervisor Training
In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week 2022 (7th-13th February), which celebrates apprenticeships across England and the wider role they have in helping shape the lives and careers of young people, we wanted to tell you more about our newest apprenticeship scheme in association with Hospitality Industry Training (HIT Training).
Here at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, we currently have 13 people who have been nominated and accepted for the Level 3 Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship with HIT Training - a recognised training and apprenticeship provider for the hospitality and catering industry.
The apprenticeship is aimed at those already working in supervisory positions across specific hotel functions, with our apprentices including Spa Supervisors, Bar Supervisors, F&B Supervisors and Housekeeping Supervisors, who will gain experience in key areas of the business throughout the 12-15 months it takes to complete.
Hotels involved in the scheme across the group include Frimley Hall Hotel & Spa, Bath Spa Hotel, Compleat Angler, Berystede, Alveston Manor Hotel, Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa, Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa and The Bear Hotel.
How Does the Apprenticeship Scheme Work?
There's no upper age limit for the Level 3 Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship and apprentices applying to work at our hotels in this year's intake are aged between 17 and 34.
Seen as an important first step in a career in operational and hospitality management, each apprentice is allocated a one-to-one training assessor for the duration of the apprenticeship.
The assessor works with them throughout the year, carrying out observations and asking questions in order to measure each apprentice against a set of criteria for their chosen supervisor position.
Because the apprenticeship is more about practical experience and less about theory work away from the hotels, assessors will come and meet apprentices in their hotel workspace. This means they are able to maximise the opportunity to learn and improvetheir knowledge on the job through regular line manager discussions, coaching and mentorship.
“We know the importance of attracting and retaining talent within our business and are committed to doing this."
"We have selected the Level 3 Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship initiative as we want to support our supervisors in taking the first step into managerial positions, seeing this as a great way to do that while also gaining a recognised qualification."
"Our hope is that our apprentices then progress their career with us into more senior positions as part of our career development programme."
Julie Ewing, Group People Director
What Happens After 12 Months?
At the end of the initial 12 month assessment period, apprentices will carry out their independent end point assessment, which takes an additional three months and happens when the apprentice has displayed the required skills and behaviours to carry out a supervisor role within our hotels.
The end point assessment includes:
- Scenario based questions
- Multiple choice tests
- Practical observations including specialist tasks
- Business project expressing an opportunity or idea to help the business
The independent assessor will then discuss role focus areas with apprentices as part of a structured meeting involving line managers, after which they will be given a final grade upon completing their apprenticeship.
We hope to have many more conversations in the near future so that we can grow fantastic talent internally and develop the next generation of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts leaders!
