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Hospitality apprenticeships

AuthorDarcy Nathan, editor
Posted on

From whipping up impressive dishes in the kitchen to keeping front-of-house running smoothly, hospitality apprenticeships give you hands-on experience, practical skills, and a recognised qualification to launch your career

What hospitality apprenticeships are available?

Hospitality apprenticeships range from entry level (Level 2) through to management (Level 4) and cover a range of job areas. They're a flexible route for those who are motivated, reliable, and keen to learn on the job while gaining a recognised qualification.

You could train as a:

  • chef de partie
  • commis chef
  • event assistant
  • food industry technologist
  • hospitality team member, supervisor or manager
  • production chef
  • senior culinary chef
  • senior production chef.

Depending on the level of study, hospitality apprenticeships are ideal for:

Read our essential guide to apprenticeships.

Where can I do an apprenticeship?

Hospitality apprenticeships are delivered by colleges, universities, and specialist training providers across the UK. Below are examples of programmes currently available.

Sector‑based work academy programmes (SWAPs)

Typically lasting around 20 days, hospitality SWAPs are short pre-employment programmes that combine classroom learning with practical work experience to help people get job-ready and progress into apprenticeships or entry-level roles.

The programme includes at least five days of work experience with an employer, where you develop core skills in:

  • customer service
  • food hygiene
  • health and safety
  • workplace behaviours.

This hands-on experience often leads to guaranteed interviews, and participants receive a Hospitality Skills Passport, a transferable record of skills recognised by employers, reducing the need for repeat training.

You can apply at UKHospitality or through your local Jobcentre Plus.

Level 2

Intermediate apprenticeships are ideal if you're new to hospitality or have limited experience. You'll learn core skills such as customer service, food preparation, health and safety, and the day-to-day running of hospitality environments.

These apprenticeships are equivalent to GCSEs and usually take around 12 months to complete.

Examples include:

Level 3

Advanced apprenticeships are suited to learners with some experience or those who've completed a Level 2 qualification. You'll build more technical expertise, take on greater responsibility, and begin working more independently. This might include managing service standards or supporting stock control.

These apprenticeships are equivalent to A-levels and typically last between 12 and 18 months.

Level 4

Higher apprenticeships are designed for those progressing into supervisory, leadership, or management roles. They focus on business operations, strategic thinking, and people management.

These qualifications are equivalent to a Higher National Certificate (HNC) and can take up to two years to complete.

Examples include:

See the full list of providers on GOV.UK - Apprenticeship training courses.

Who are the best hospitality apprenticeship employers?

You can also complete your apprenticeship directly with an employer. According to data from the Department for Education and Higherin, the employers below rank highly based on:

  • achievement rates
  • apprentice recruitment
  • learner satisfaction

These organisations offer well-established apprenticeship pathways:

Top hospitality apprenticeship employers in the UK
Employer Rank
Mitchells & Butlers 1
Whitbread (Premier Inn) 8
McDonald's UK 9
Greene King 18
Compass Group 35
Sodexo 46

What do hospitality apprenticeships involve?

Your day-to-day responsibilities will depend on your apprenticeship level and role. Here are some examples of what to expect:

  • commis chef - preparing and cooking dishes under the supervision of a senior chef.
  • hospitality manager - responsible for managing all aspects of service including revenue, housekeeping, food and beverage and events
  • lead baker - sourcing ingredients, planning production, and creating, baking, and finishing baked goods
  • production chef - preparing high-volume meals, adapting dishes to meet dietary requirements, and using specialist kitchen equipment.

At the end of your apprenticeship, you'll complete an end-point assessment. This may include practical observations, knowledge tests, interviews, or workplace projects depending on the nature of your work.

For example, a food industry technologist apprentice might complete a:

Alternatively, an apprentice hospitality manager might need to:

  • complete a workplace observation
  • submit an online portfolio of their work.

Your employer will also lead reviews throughout your apprenticeship to make sure you're on track.

What are the entry requirements?

To apply, you must be aged 16 or over and not enrolled in full-time education.

You don't usually need formal qualifications to apply for a Level 2 apprenticeship. However, Level 3 and 4 programmes often ask for GCSEs in English and maths.

If you don't have GCSEs in maths or English, you may still be able to apply, as some apprenticeships allow you to complete a functional skills assessment before enrolling. For example, at Nottingham Trent University you must achieve Level 1 in English and maths at the assessment stage, and then work towards achieving Level 2 functional skills qualifications in both subjects during your apprenticeship.

You'll be well suited to a hospitality apprenticeship if you have:

  • clear and confident communication
  • customer service skills
  • good attention to detail
  • time management skills
  • the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Employers may also look for willingness to learn, as you'll be training every day as an apprentice. Discover what skills employers want.

How do I apply?

Most hospitality apprenticeships are advertised through:

You'll usually need to submit a CV and short cover letter explaining why you're interested in hospitality and the skills you can bring to the role. For guidance, see how to apply for an apprenticeship, or read our example apprenticeship cover letter.

When preparing your application, highlight any relevant work experience, such as:

After applying, you may be invited to:

For example, Rick Stein's Chef Apprenticeship Academy asks applicants to attend an interview and trial day so they can demonstrate their skills in practice.

How much will I be paid as a hospitality apprentice?

In the UK, apprentices in their first year must be paid at least the apprentice minimum wage - £7.55 per hour as of April 2025.

After your first year, if you're aged 19 or over, you must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for your age group. Apprentices are also entitled to a minimum of 20 days' paid holiday per year.

Many hospitality employers pay above the minimum wage. For example, Rick Stein's Academy pays £11.44 per hour, plus tips that can reach around £600 per month.

Other examples of apprenticeship salaries include:

  • Level 2 commis chef at Sodexo - £25,000 per year
  • Level 2 production chef at Miller and Carter - £15,600 per year
  • Level 2 production chef at Newrest - £26,874 per year
  • Level 3 hospitality supervisor at Greene King - £10,504 per year
  • Level 3 hospitality supervisor at Marston's - £13,000 per year.

Explore our hospitality job profiles to find out what you could earn once you've qualified.

What can I do once I've completed my apprenticeship?

When your apprenticeship ends, you'll have several progression options, depending on your:

  • career goals
  • interests
  • level of qualification.

While it isn't guaranteed, many apprentices move into full-time roles with their employer, as businesses often use apprenticeships to train future staff. For example, a Level 2 chef apprentice at Miller and Carter may progress into a full-time commis chef role, managing their own section of the kitchen.

Another option is progressing to a higher-level apprenticeship. For instance, after completing a Level 2 hospitality team member apprenticeship, you could move on to a Level 3 hospitality supervisor apprenticeship, taking responsibility for staff and the day-to-day running of a venue. From there, some learners progress to a Level 4 hospitality manager apprenticeship, preparing for leadership roles such as restaurant or hotel manager.

Some apprentices choose to specialise in a specific area of hospitality. For example, an apprentice working at a wedding venue could progress into an events coordinator role, planning and managing large-scale functions. For more information on this pathway, discover how to become a wedding planner.

Find out more