Trade body UKHospitality (UKH) and the Department for Work and Pensions have partnered up to launch the scheme.
This followed a successful pilot of the scheme last year, which delivered an 85% completion rate with 80% of those who completed the course securing employment in hospitality.
The hospitality SWAP aims to deliver bespoke training to jobseekers, training them, providing a work placement and guaranteed interview, to help enable participant to be as job-ready as possible.
Rewarding jobs
Employment minister Alison McGovern is set to address delegates at the trade body’s workforce and skills event today to outline the rollout of the schemes.
Chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “UKH’s Sector-based Work Academy pilot proved to be a brilliant way to provide high-quality, entry-level training for both new starters and those looking to get back into work.
“I’m delighted the Government is rolling out our pilot to 26 new areas and using it as the model for its exciting plans to deliver at least 100,000 SWAP participants next year.
“This announcement gives us the impetus to expand our work across the country, help more people find rewarding jobs in hospitality, boost growth, tackle economic inactivity and continue to develop our Hospitality Skills Passport.”
Transferable tool
The scheme rollout will feature the Hospitality Skills Passport, which aims to be a transferable tool, enabling team members to demonstrate their competence and qualifications in a bid to avoid duplication of training when moving roles.
Nicholls added: “This is an incredibly significant development for hospitality businesses and one UKH has been working on for a number of years.
“I’m delighted our work has paid off through Government endorsement of our plans and I am incredibly excited to see the tangible benefit this will deliver for the sector.
“There will be a number o ways to get involved in these SWAPs and I would urge businesses to register their interest with the UKH team to ensure you’re kept informed.”
