Mitchells & Butlers plc, the company behind leading pub and restaurant brands such as All Bar One, Harvester, Miller & Carter, Toby Carvery, Browns and Sizzling Pubs inspired school leavers at last week’s Skills Show, giving future school leavers an interactive experience and showcasing the opportunities that a career in hospitality can offer.
During The Skills Show, the UK’s largest careers show which took place at Birmingham’s NEC on 17-19 November, the pub and restaurant operator also premiered its series of ‘Apprentice v Graduate’ and Ever wondered what the benefits of an Mitchells & Butlers Apprenticeship are? videos across social media, highlighting the benefits of an apprenticeship against the option of going to college or university.
The two videos demonstrate why there may be practical and financial benefits to an apprenticeship for someone looking to begin a career in hospitality, and how it can be an alternative stepping stone by gaining valuable practical experience alongside a qualification. As the cost of university and further education continues to rise and earning power of graduates drop, Mitchells & Butlers is committed to opening the doors to 1,700 apprenticeships within the next year.
The Skills Show is a great opportunity to not only premiere the series, but also get talking and help inspire the next generation of chefs and managers. Leading Teenologist Sarah Newton, also joined the team to capture imaginations with fun food, creative mocktails and a prize giveaway selfie competition.
Sarah Newton, one of the UK’s leading youth experts specialising in the emergence of Generation Z comments; “Teaming up with Mitchells & Butlers at The Skills Show was a fantastic opportunity to talk to our next generation of talent and their parents. We all want the best for our children and their futures, but we need to make sure we’re not leading them down a path that might not be right for them.
Jan Smallbone, Director of Learning & Talent Development, Mitchells & Butlers comments: “Starting as an apprentice gives young people a genuine alternative to academic study, and a real path to a long term career in hospitality. We are dedicated to working with our teams to nurture this raw talent and develop them into the future managers across our businesses – and The Skills Show is a fantastic platform for us to talk to these possible leaders and showcase what we have to offer.
“Apprentices that join the Mitchells & Butlers team will work across our renowned portfolio of brands, learn from our experienced teams, gain a professional qualification and have a real opportunity to progress up the ladder. Your career really can start with us and help us harness a pipeline of future leaders.”
There are currently four different apprenticeships open to all school leavers, the company’s Bar & Waiting Apprenticeship and Chef/Culinary Apprenticeships see young people gain a Level Two qualification within their chosen field within the first 12 months. Mitchells & Butlers Hospitality Management Development Apprenticeship is a three-year programme designed to FastTrack apprentices into supervisory and management roles. It is also one of the first schemes in the industry to offer a combined programme that ensures apprentices gain experience working in customer facing roles alongside learning in the kitchen. Apprentices can then decide which roles best suit them, whilst being provided with the opportunity to take on new challenges.
Mitchells & Butlers was a Feature Exhibitor in the Hospitality and Lifestyle sector at the NEC Arena in Birmingham. For more information on the Mitchells & Butlers Apprentice Scheme, how to apply and variety of roles available visit www.mbapprenticeships.co.uk. For more information on the Skills Show visit www.worldskillsuk.org.
