What a week it has been with National Apprenticeship Week #NAW2019 and the great publicity that has been generated around hospitality apprenticeships in particular. It was great to have the opportunity to finish the week celebrating apprenticeships with Umbrella Training.

National Apprenticeship Week ran from 4th to 8th March this year and is the annual celebration of apprenticeships that bring the whole apprenticeship community together to celebrate the impact of apprenticeships on individuals, employers and the economy. Umbrella Training certainly led the way promoting hospitality apprenticeships with their now infamous red bus ‘Ethel’ touring the schools of Kent and South East London. At the Hospitality Showcase Day at the Houses of Parliament, their Apprentices meet with Anne Milton MP and their very own Sam Coulstock speaking about how Apprenticeships are the gold standard for education on Nicky Campbell’s BBC Radio 5 Live show.

The grand finale was their Purple Umbrella Awards celebration dinner that was held at Park Plaza Victoria. Awarding the graduate apprentices with their certificates and presenting their charity of the year The Clink Charity with the money raised on their behalf, was just the start.

Their guest speaker was celebrity chef Brian Turner CBE who gave an truly inspiring speech to all present.

Then it was the moment all had been waiting for – the announcement of the Purple Umbrella Award winners for:

Best Chef Apprentice

Best Hospitality Team Member Apprentice

Best Hospitality Supervisor Apprentice

Best Hospitality Manager Apprentice

Best Alumni Apprentice

Purple Umbrella Award 2019

I was delighted to have been on the judging panel for these awards and the winners are to be congratulated for all their hard work during their apprenticeships and how they have improved the businesses they are working for through them.

For me I was thrilled to hear that Holly Langan from The Ritz was awarded the ultimate accolade of the night as being the Purple Umbrella Award 2019 winner. I was honoured to have been her End Point Assessor for her Hospitality Team Member apprenticeship for which she was awarded a Distinction for.

To find out more about hospitality apprenticeships and the rewarding careers it can bring read ‘Star Quality Talent – Inspiring Hospitality Careers’. Featuring Umbrella Training and The Clink Charity amongst other hospitality professionals and organisations that can help you achieve a fulfilling career. It is available on Amazon in paperback and kindle and for every Amazon review £1 is being donated to Hospitality Action.