Hospitality Apprenticeships Set for Transformation Following Strategic Roundtable
The UK hospitality industry is entering a new era of skills development, one that promises to be more agile, inclusive, and aligned with the realities of modern working life.
At a high-impact roundtable on 30 September 2025, hosted by Umbrella Training in collaboration with Caterer.com, leading employers and sector experts came together to reimagine the future of hospitality apprenticeships. The outcome? A bold new vision that could transform how people enter and grow within the industry.
Why Reform Is Needed
Hospitality apprenticeships have long been a vital entry point into the industry, but the system has struggled to keep pace with the sector’s evolving demands.
With dropout rates nearing 47% and employer dissatisfaction at 96%, the need for reform has never been clearer. Employers at the roundtable voiced frustration with overly long, inflexible programmes that fail to reflect the fast-moving nature of hospitality work.
“Changing the minimum duration to eight months reduces barriers to entry and fits with seasonal demands,” said James Stagg, Editor at The Caterer. “More flexibility will mean more people forging careers in hospitality.”
The Purple Paper: A Roadmap for Change
Following the event, Sam Coulstock FIH FIEP, Executive Director of Partnerships & Growth at Umbrella Training, authored The Purple Paper, a forward-thinking roadmap that outlines three key reform priorities:
Shorter-duration Level 2 apprenticeships (minimum eight months) to make training more accessible and better suited to hospitality’s seasonal cycles.
A new Level 5 Departmental Manager programme with a focus on leadership and progression.
A facilitator-led delivery model designed to enhance learner engagement and improve completion rates.
“This roundtable was a powerful reminder that employers must be at the heart of apprenticeship design,” said Sam Coulstock.
Alignment with National Skills Priorities
The discussion also aligned closely with Skills England’s 2025/26 priorities, including the launch of two new Skills Boot Camps from Umbrella Training, funded by the Greater London Authority, Taste of Culinary and Beyond the Pass are set to begin in November 2025.
These initiatives aim to bridge the gap between education and employment, offering practical pathways into hospitality careers for people at all stages.
A Call to Collaboration in Hospitality
The message from the roundtable and from the Purple Paper is clear: the future of hospitality apprenticeships will be built through collaboration, innovation, and flexibility.
As employers, educators, and policymakers come together, the goal is to create a system that doesn’t just fill jobs but builds sustainable, rewarding careers across the sector.
What Happens Next?
Umbrella Training and its partners are now calling on employers, training providers, and industry bodies to engage with the Purple Paper’s recommendations and help shape the next phase of apprenticeship reform.
The time for change is now. A flexible, future-ready workforce is essential if the hospitality industry is to thrive in 2026 and beyond.
💬 What do you think?
How could shorter, more agile apprenticeships change the way we attract and retain hospitality talent? Get in contact with Sam Coulstock and be part of the conversation.