First two apprentices complete new training course with British Institute of Innkeeping

Ann Robertson, from the Tap in Portsmouth, and Matthew Ingram, of the Arrow in Eastleigh, Hampshire, were given passes by the British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body after successfully completing the new Licensed Hospitality Apprenticeship Level 2 in just under 12 months.

Ingram was aged just 18 and a new recruit at the Arrow when he was signed up for the apprenticeship on 26 August last year.

His manager, Chris Wood, said: “I have always looked to get new employees on to NVQ training, it’s something I did when I was coming up through the ranks.

“There are many similarities between the NVQs and the BII apprenticeship: it’s solid, on-the-job training, teaching them key skills from line cleaning to cellar management.

“But, I believe, what you are awarded at the end of the apprenticeship is far more beneficial, it’s a nationally recognised qualification and they receive their personal licence as part of the course, which has advantages.”

Robertson, 44, has worked in the pub trade for eight years, the past two as a barmaid at the Tap.

“It was a great course and gives you a good qualification at the end of it.

“After working in the trade for some time, I was keen to learn more and earn a recognised qualification,” said Robertson, who hopes to enrol on to a Level 3 apprenticeship later this year, and who would eventually like to run her own pub.
BII chief executive Peter Thomas said: “The apprenticeship route provides people with boundless opportunities: a solid career path that will lead in the first instance to supervisory and management roles, and longer-term to running their own business.”
Robertson and Ingram received their apprenticeship training through
HTP Training, which serves the South Coast and Isle of Wight region.