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So, what's it all about?

The hospitality and travel sector employs nearly two million people, and covers 14 industries, from hotels and restaurants through to events, gambling and travel services. Here in the UK, there are around 183,000 individual hospitality, leisure and tourism establishments. That includes restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, hotels, casinos, travel agencies, tour operators, visitor attractions…It’s a big industry that has a need for skilled staff, especially with the coming Olympics in 2012. And that’s why industry employers take on around 25,000 new Apprentices every year.

In this sector, the restaurant industry is the biggest, employing over half a million people. The Hospitality and Catering Apprenticeship is one of the most popular programmes, attracting thousands of candidates per year. Depending on your strengths and interests, you could either be working behind the scenes in a kitchen or up front, pouring drinks for the Friday night crowd. This sector often requires night and weekend work, with some unsociable hours and lots of time spent on your feet – however, it’s a young and vibrant sector, with most employees under the age of 25.

On the travel side of things, there are more than 100,000 people working in the travel and tourism services sector in the UK. Travel is big business, whether that’s for business or leisure purposes. To support this industry, employees like travel agents and tour operators are needed to deliver customer service, communicate effectively with clients and suppliers, sort out queries, and promote products. An interest in tourism is a must, and staff should have a good knowledge of travel geography, responsible and sustainable tourism, travel insurance and other travel services.

Hospitality and travel is a massive sector in the UK, but opportunities don’t end at our shores. Worldwide, the opportunities are limitless. An Apprenticeship in this sector could be your passport to a Caribbean island, a cruise down the Nile, or a casino in Monte Carlo. But don’t think the work will be a holiday on the beach – jobs in these industries are hard work, often involving long hours that play havoc with your social life. However, it’s a different lifestyle from the 9-5 crowd, which suits many outgoing people.

These are the Apprenticeships currently available in this sector. For more information and for details of the Apprenticeship framework, contact the Sector Skills Council listed after each.

Hospitality and catering

Contact www.people1st.co.uk

Travel and Tourism

Contact www.people1st.co.uk