What’s an apprenticeship in travel, leisure, sport and hospitality?
Do you aspire to manage a high-profile hotel group, work for a large travel company, be a 5-star chef or own and manage your own business? Apprenticeships in this huge industry give you the skills for an exciting, challenging and in-demand career of your choice.
Travel, leisure, sport and hospitality is an incredibly diverse sector with potential for careers in lots of exciting areas. There are opportunities for those aspiring to leadership roles and those with fresh ideas who are willing to work hard.
Charlene Troth – Level 4 Management and Leadership Apprenticeship, Greene King
Charlotte Hewson – Apprenticeship Manager, Greene King
Facts and stats
Who would suit an apprenticeship?
The travel, leisure, sport and hospitality industry offer a wide range of apprenticeship programmes resulting in different levels of qualification. Tourism or hospitality apprenticeships could also be, for example, combined with study in business management or finance to further develop your qualification and professional opportunities.
Apprentices have the chance to choose from a variety of roles in different working environments. Whether you wish to be part of adventure tourism, health and fitness, public sector, conferences and events, hospitality or something else entirely, an apprenticeship is a great way to start.
Apprenticeships are offered in lots of small and medium sized businesses, and you can also find employment in local authorities, sports associations and national governing bodies. Some well-recognised firms offering apprenticeships include British Airways, Centre Parcs, David Lloyd Leisure, Hilton, Greene King and P&O cruises.
If you’re a people-person with excellent communication skills and a desire to help others enjoy their free time, boost their fitness and wellbeing or create meaningful experiences travelling the world, this might be the right choice for you.
Natalie Morgan – Level 5 Leadership and Management Apprenticeship, Welsh Gymnastics
- Some apprenticeships in the field don’t need any previous qualifications.
- It’s a sociable industry where you’ll meet lots of people.
- Roles often offer fast progression up the career ladder.
- You might need to work evenings and weekends.
- You’ll need to balance work and study at the same time.
- It can be difficult to have a good work-life balance.
Why choose an apprenticeship?
Apprentices in the leisure, tourism, sport and hospitality gain experience and customer skills which lead to sustained long-term success in their careers.
I now have a whole bank of knowledge and skills that I can use in any sector.
Natalie Morgan, Apprentice at Welsh Gymnastics
Employers acknowledge apprentices as an extremely valuable part of their business and work together with training providers to give mentorship, guidance and support.
As well as any technical skills needed, success in this industry is dependent on lots of soft skills, including communication, teamwork, commercial awareness, flexibility and enthusiasm. If you can demonstrate this, it’ll help you stand out in the application.
This industry is all about aptitude, enthusiasm and being able to work with customers and in a team.
Charlotte Hewson, Employer at Greene King
How do you start an apprenticeship?
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