Compass commits over £3m Apprenticeship Levy funding

Compass Group UK and Ireland has announced it has supported 250 apprentice programmes across 170 organisations, committing over £3m of its Apprenticeship Levy.

These funds have helped small and medium-sized enterprises, charities and social enterprises to invest in and develop their staff.

Large employers that pay the Apprenticeship Levy can choose to transfer up to 25% of their levy funds each year to other organisations, to pay for their apprenticeship training and assessment.

Organisations that have so far benefitted are spread across the UK, ranging from Brewhouse and Kitchen, New College Oxford and Sidney Sussex College.

Apprenticeships that have been taken up through this funding include marketing, chef de partie and hospitality manager.

This overall figure includes the £500k announced to support the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), to boost hospitality and professional services apprenticeships for the region.

One of the beneficiaries of the funding is Cherry Reds café bar in Birmingham, which has invested in its deputy manager taking on a Hospitality Management level 4 apprenticeship – receiving £6,000.

This funding is aligned to Compass Group UK and Ireland’s Mission to a Million pledge, which promises to positively impact one million people, from both within and outside the organisation by 2030.

It aims to enhance opportunities and change lives through job creation, education, training, community and charitable engagement.

Compass currently has around 600 employees taking on apprenticeships, with qualifications varying from a Level 2 or 3 to a degree level higher apprenticeship, across subjects such as finance, culinary, events and leadership. This includes the company’s Forward with Marcus Wareing programme, which launched for the highest level of culinary talent within Compass.

Jonathan Foot, head of Apprenticeships and Early Careers at Compass Group UK and Ireland, said: “Within Compass we have clear Career Pathways and apprenticeships form a critical part of these. I am a firm believer in the power of these opportunities and I know they can change lives, so it makes sense to align this funding with our Mission to a Million pledge to support individuals outside our business too. It is great to get positive feedback from those taking on apprenticeships and hear from the organisations they work in how it’s helped.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “It’s good news that we’re receiving financial support from Compass Group UK and Ireland via the Apprenticeship Levy. Their generosity is enabling us to support many SMEs such as Cherry Reds café bar, as they upskill their workforce.

“Apprentices make a valuable contribution to the hospitality sector and to our wider economic growth story. I look forward to the scheme continuing to change lives for the better right across our region in the months and years ahead.”