The latest figures show that more than 35,000 people started an apprenticeship in 2011-2012, compared to just 14,890 in 2007-2008, while in the last three years completion rates have increased to 74%.

These impressive increases follow a series of People 1st initiatives to increase awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships and to encourage more people and businesses to engage with them.

Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, said that this was a fantastic result for an industry that traditionally has a high staff turnover rate.

“The industry should be extremely proud of the impressive gains made both in the number of apprenticeships undertaken and the vast improvement in completion rates. While our industries have continued to improve, completion rates across the rest of the economy have remained static.

“This is important because apprenticeships play a vital role in career pathways, ensuring that new entrants are developing the skills to equip them with a career in the industry.”

People 1st has played a major role representing hospitality employers to government and making sure that policy makers are aware of the contribution the industry makes to the overall economy.

“We’ve worked with employers throughout the industry to identify skills shortages and roles that are hard to fill, and have worked with partners to create programmes like the Hospitality Guild Apprenticeship Awards that recognise outstanding achievement among apprentices in the hospitality industry,” said Wisdom.

“We’ve also represented the industry in the recent Richard Review into the future of apprenticeships and are working with the National Apprenticeship Service on a host of other initiatives.”

Most recently People 1st has worked with the Hospitality Guild on its Act NOW! campaign, which aims to promote apprenticeships and increase engagement among learners, employers and providers through five simple steps.

Wisdom said that the next step for People 1st was to work with the Hospitality Guild and employers to develop an industrial partnership for the visitor and tourism economy, which would provide a way for employers to truly offer training – including apprenticeships – that would benefit their business in a changing operating environment.

“We’ve submitted an initial bid to the government to set this partnership up and we’re always seeking more support from employers who want to get involved.

“Providing a new platform for employers and providers to take a more active role in apprenticeship delivery is just one of the aims this new partnership will deliver.”