Catering and hospitality students shine at 10 Downing Street

Our catering and hospitality students stepped into one of the most famous buildings in the country on Monday: 10 Downing Street.

As the largest FE apprenticeship delivery partner in London, we are proud to have been asked to support a high-profile reception and exhibition to mark National Apprenticeship week, which was attended by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Catering students prepared a range of savoury and sweet canapes, and front of house students delivered professional service to invited guests from across business and education.

Leading employers including McLaren, Channel 4, Benefit Cosmetics, NHS, British Airways and Amazon also hosted exhibition stands, each bringing apprentices to speak with visiting secondary school pupils about career pathways and real workplace experiences.

At our stand, Debbie Houghton, Group Principal for Partnerships, Apprenticeships and Innovation, was joined by Morgan and James, two of our hospitality apprentices. Morgan is training at St Pancras – The Renaissance Hotel doing the Worshipful Company of Cooks Commis Chef Apprentice, and James Works at The Dorchester and is doing the Worshipful Company of Cooks Commis Chef Apprentice. They spoke with school pupils about what it’s like to do an apprenticeships and the benefits over traditional academic pathways.

The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, took time to speak with our staff and apprentices, recognising the role apprenticeships play in driving opportunity and growth.

Debbie said: “It was an honour to be invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week. Our students showed exceptional professionalism in both the kitchen and front of house. We are proud to be a trusted apprenticeship delivery partner, and events like this show the real impact apprenticeships have on young people’s lives and on London’s businesses.”

Serving at 10 Downing Street is not something you forget. For our students, it was more than an event. It was a statement about where apprenticeships can take you.

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