Now open for enrolment, the 18-month programme is the first operational management apprenticeship to be specifically adapted for the hospitality industry and raises the standard for training people who can deliver real impact for their employers. 

It has been developed in direct response to the challenges of the current Level 4 hospitality manager apprenticeship, which achieved a national completion rate of just 29% - below the 62% minimum benchmark.

The Level 5 programme is designed to align more closely with the practical needs of today’s hospitality sector, particularly by addressing critical gaps in leadership, strategic management and operational knowledge – creating a pathway to building a broader and deeper skill set.

Key advantages of the Level 5 hospitality operations manager apprenticeship:

• Advanced Leadership Development: The Level 5 programme dives deeper into strategic areas like financial and change management, team leadership and effective talent management. 
• Industry-Relevant, Ethical Training: Each module integrates the latest in sustainability and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI).
• Flexible Learning for Immediate Impact: Designed for the hospitality workforce, this programme offers flexible, practical learning options like multimedia resources, peer problem-solving, and data-driven operational training. 

Micaela Barlow, quality and curriculum director at HIT Training, said:  “We know that staffing challenges are a major concern for hospitality operators, and they need to be confident their investment in training programmes pays off.

“By building practical skills and delivering essential leadership training, we’re enabling our apprentices to drive real change within their organisations and achieve meaningful career progression. We’re confident that our Level 5 programme offers exactly what the industry needs to thrive and addresses the issues hospitality businesses have been facing to date.”