Fuller's wins 'Best Apprenticeship Training Programme' at BII NITAs
Our Chef Apprenticeship Programme was awarded the title of ‘Best Apprenticeship Training Programme’ for 2019 at the British Institute of Innkeeping National Innovation in Training Awards (BII NITA’s) held at Cafe de Paris in London on Tuesday 29 November.
The BII NITAs celebrate the innovation and training happening in the hospitality industry. Fuller’s was a finalist for two categories, including ‘Best Apprenticeship Programme’ and ‘Best Managed Training Programme: Over 50 Sites’, winning Best Apprenticeship Programme for Fuller’s Chefs’ Guild Chef Apprenticeship programme.
Industry-leading Chef Apprenticeships
Fuller’s Chefs’ Guild Apprenticeship Programme started in 2015 and has gradually evolved to become the outstanding programme it is today.
There are two apprenticeships available – the Commis Chef Level 2 Apprenticeship Programme, which is equal to five GCSE’s and is for anyone wishing to pursue a chef career, and the Chef de Partie Level 3 Apprenticeship Programme, which is equal to an A-level qualification and is for chefs already at Commis Chef level who want to progress to the next level of skill and responsibility.
Chef apprentices spend one day per week learning at one of our partner colleges and universities, and four days per week working in the kitchen at one of our pubs where they are mentored by one of our head chefs.
Fuller's Group Development Manager, Mark Peters, said: “Winning the Best Apprenticeship Programme award recognises the quality of training programmes we offer at Fuller’s, and the investment we make in developing our people.
“Some people who don’t think university is for them think they can’t have a career. We give them that opportunity. From level two all the way to degree level, we offer an alternative route to university where they can earn a degree while earning a living.”
Craig Parsons, Fuller’s Apprenticeship Manager, added: “We stand out because our apprentices come first and we’re building for the future, not just for now. We don’t see our apprenticeships as cheap labour – we’ve never chased the levy because our apprenticeship programme is about teaching our chefs of the future by giving them the best possible start to their career. Winning this award is a testament to that.”
Find out more about Fuller’s Apprenticeships.
Winning team: Fuller’s Apprenticeship Manager, Craig Parsons, and Group Development Manager, Mark Peters.
Fuller’s was also a finalist for the ‘Best Managed Training Programme’ for a company with over 50 pubs. The programme, Begin, Become, Beyond, is a career pathway that shows employees the learning and development available at Fuller’s.
Find out more about the training and development opportunities available at Fuller’s: Fuller’s Training & Development.
Work for us
Do you want an exciting career in hospitality? Browse available jobs in Fuller’s pubs – from kitchen porter and chef roles to front of house positions.
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- What it's like to be a commis chef apprentice with Fuller's - Jakub's story
- Fuller’s Apprentices Celebrated at The House of Commons
- Fuller’s Chef of the Year Winners for 2019