The value of taking on apprentices has once again been underlined, this time by Sector Skills Council 'People 1st', in a Feb 2009 report. People 1st are urging businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector to bridge a 30,000 vacancies a month employment gap in time for the 2012 Olympics. People 1st have predicted that employees such as chefs, customer service teams and managers will be like ‘gold dust’ in the run-up to the Games, and suggest businesses take on apprentices in order to prepare themselves for the rise in tourism. Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, said investing in apprenticeship training can be recouped more quickly than other sectors. “It’s not only Team GB that is ramping up its training,” he said. “Wise employers have identified that apprentices are the most cost-effective way to build the loyal teams they need to win customers and generate improved profits.” While research this week shows that the majority of employers in Hospitality and Leisure believe apprenticeships helped to improve productivity and staff retention, Wisdom claims the schemes can also benefit the apprentices as well. “Apprentices benefit all round too; they can “earn and learn” and really grow their own skills which will stand them in good stead all of their working life. Research shows that apprentices will, on average, earn £100k more in a lifetime than other employees.”
