The Stanwell Hotel: London
At The Stanwell Hotel, apprenticeships are helping a close-knit team build skills, confidence and careers from within.
Hotel Manager Priyadeep Kaur already understood the value of apprenticeships from her own experience. When she joined The Stanwell Hotel, she wanted to give her team the same opportunity to learn, progress and build a future in hospitality.
Working with Umbrella Training, the hotel has created a flexible apprenticeship approach shaped around the needs of the business and its people. Today, Priya supports four apprentices while continuing her own development through a Level 5 apprenticeship.
The impact can be seen in the progression of Frank Ellis, who joined the hotel at 17 as a Commis Chef. After completing his Level 3 apprenticeship with a distinction and winning Best Chef Apprentice Level 3 at the Purple Umbrella Awards, Frank is now a Chef de Partie and is continuing his development through the Level 4 Senior Culinary Chef programme.
“Winning Best Chef Apprentice Level 3 was a really proud moment. I’ve learned a lot, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to progress in their career and learn more skills.”
- Frank Ellis, Senior Culinary Chef, The Stanwell Hotel
For Frank, the apprenticeship has been about far more than gaining a qualification. It has given him greater responsibility, exposure to different hotel environments and the confidence to take on a leadership role within the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Kateryna Bodnar is beginning her own journey through the Hospitality Supervisor Level 3 Apprenticeship. Having joined as a Guest Service Assistant, Kat has progressed into a Guest Service Supervisor role and says the apprenticeship has transformed her confidence, helping her develop the skills to lead, give feedback and support new team members.
Together, their stories show the impact that apprenticeships can have in a smaller hospitality business. With the right support, learning becomes part of the working culture – giving people the time, space and confidence to grow while making a meaningful contribution to the business.
“My team are at that perfect age where they don’t always know what they want to do yet, but you can give them guidance, encourage them and give them life skills that set them up for life.”
- Priyadeep Kaur, Hotel Manager, The Stanwell, London
For The Stanwell Hotel, apprenticeships are not simply about filling roles or gaining qualifications. They are about creating opportunity from within, developing future leaders and building a stronger, more confident team for the future.
The partnership with Umbrella Training demonstrates what is possible when training is tailored around the employer, the learner and the realities of hospitality – helping individuals to develop while supporting the business to grow.