A leading hospitality apprenticeship company has opened a new office in the north of England to train hundreds of young people and create jobs.
HIT Training has set up a new regional operation covering the north east from an office in Newton Aycliffe in County Durham.
Area manager Simon Liversedge is spearheading the development and recruiting staff. He has already taken on three trainer assessors and an administrative assistant. In the next two months he expects to have five trainer assessors and eventually a full complement of eight.
HIT was already operating in the region and currently has 45 people studying towards an apprenticeship or NVQ. Simon soon aims to have 225 of them on board.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for us and HIT Training,” said Simon. “There is great potential in the North East. We already knew that because we have several companies and businesses who train their employees with us.
“Now we have a new base and are recruiting staff, we can build on that and the number of young people benefitting from our training and opportunities will snowball.”
Simon explained that people were realising that apprenticeships, NVQs and other training courses were the solution and a natural alternative to amassing huge debts through college and university fees.
“More and more young people are recognising that learning while you earn is the smart way to get a foot on the employment ladder and create your own career opportunities,” he said.
“Building up debilitating debts through further education fees can be a burden for years to come and have a drastic effect on young people’s lives.
“Don’t wait to drown in debt. Be proactive, grab your career chances now and break into the jobs market. If you’re offered a job lifeline, it could well lead to a job for life.”
Simon and his team are already forging partnerships with other companies and looking out for new developments that will be mutually beneficial.
Simon said: “The north east is a vast area and there are several new projects on the horizon such as retail and leisure developments, including a multi-screen cinemas, in Darlington and West Auckland.
“They will create hundreds of jobs and we’re hoping to work with the various companies to train their staff up to exceptional standards.”
Another big opportunity is the £750,000 redevelopment of an old Victorian pub, Dougie’s Tavern, in Blackett Street, Hebburn, as a pub and restaurant complex, which will be called The White Lead.
“HIT Training will be working closely with Blake Leisure and helping to recruit and train a number of new staff for The White Lead,” adds Simon. “There is currently a government grant of £1,500 for small and medium sized enterprises looking to recruit new apprentices and this is something we can help companies access as well as funding for the training itself.”
HIT’s North office is at G15, Evans Business & Incubation Centre, Durham Way South, Aycliffe Business Park, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6XP. You can contact Simon on his mobile 07940 491610 or email simon.liversedge@hittraining.co.uk.
HIT Training provides hotel, hospitality and catering apprenticeships, and ongoing staff development training, at all levels and across all areas of hospitality throughout London and the UK.
Since its formation in 2006, HIT has supported 30,000 learners at more than 7,000 employer sites across the UK. Apprenticeships are available across a wide spectrum of roles from chefs, bar staff and waiters, to jobs in sales and marketing, banqueting, conferences, events and functions.
