Case Study

Matthew Roberts was an 18-year-old assistant chef when he first spoke to HIT about taking a work-based Apprenticeship.

Matthew had started an Apprenticeship in Professional Cookery at a college but had left quite quickly because he found college was not for him. He had personal reasons for this decision.

The HIT assessor working with Matthew’s colleague had seen him working and was impressed with his skills; Matthew explained that there was a part time chef working at the pub who had recognised his enthusiasm for food and had been teaching him. This chef worked full-time at a very prestigious local nursing home and was allowing Matthew to work there on a Sunday alongside him so as to teach him more skills. Matthew did this on a voluntary basis for some time before realising he could do an Apprenticeship in his own workplace.

Matthew works in a busy public house with an excellent food trade. The menu is largely home cooked but uses lots of convenience products due to the volume of business.

But since working there Matthew has worked hard to introduce fresh ingredients, such as making his own sauces, with the blessing of the manager (who is also a chef).

His knowledge and skills have improved tremendously over the course of his Apprenticeship. He has found a passion for cooking and has a thirst for knowledge, leading him to research in areas of cooking he had not previously thought about.

“I enjoyed doing the Apprenticeship and it was a bonus to do it at my workplace. I had a good mentor and my assessor was spending time with just me not with a whole classroom of people so I got better attention.

“I had to find things out for myself but that was part of what I enjoyed about the course because I could concentrate on things I was interested in. Best of all I got paid full-time instead of having to give up time to go to college.”

Matthew has now completed his Apprenticeship and runs the kitchen in the absence of the manager, taking responsibility for all aspects including ordering of stock and planning menus. In addition, Matthew is now helping a new assistant cook to gain the skills necessary for the job, passing on his knowledge and enthusiasm to him.

With a little more experience Matthew is hoping to progress to an Advanced Apprenticeship and his assessor and manager are confident that he will progress well within the hospitality and catering industry.

Tina Crawford, landlady of the Spread Eagle in Abingdon, said: “Matthew has learnt a huge amount since starting his Apprenticeship and is now running the kitchen in my absence.

We thought it may be difficult having an assessor coming into the kitchen but it has worked out really well because they worked round us and we didn’t have to lose Matthew to college for a day every week. The programme worked so well that another member of staff that had very little confidence has now also asked to do an Apprenticeship with HIT, so he too will be able to progress in the kitchen.”

HIT Training

HIT Training is a specialist vocational training provider for the hospitality and leisure industries.

At HIT we deliver award-winning Apprenticeship programmes to develop world class skills throughout the hospitality and leisure industries.

Apprenticeships that offer real opportunities to get the skills you need for your career in the hospitality industry Training does not have to stop when you finish school. It is something anyone can do anytime in their lives, whether you are 17 or 47.

HIT hospitality Apprenticeships provide real opportunities for both learners and employers to get the skills they need.

From the welcome given at a museum, the food served at a restaurant or the room that has been beautifully cleaned at a hotel, our HIT courses become HIT success stories.

Delivering award–winning training and assessment for Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships.

HIT Hospitality Apprenticeships allow learners to earn while they learn.

There's no need to go to college either – HIT trainers come to the workplace and use state-of-the-art training and assessment technologies, even for knowledge assessments.

HIT offers Apprenticeships to young people seeking employment opportunities, as well as people of all ages already in employment (subject to certain eligibility criteria being met).

For more information contact: HIT Training Ltd on Freephone 0800 093 5892, email info@hittraining.co.uk or visit the website: www.hittraining.co.uk