Pioneering learning programmes developed in Wales to address skills issues facing the hospitality and tourism industry were celebrated at a reception held at the National Assembly for Wales’ Senedd Building in Cardiff and a Newport-based chef was among those to be honoured.

The event, hosted by Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology Julie James, highlighted the effective partnerships between People 1st Cymru, employers, learning providers and the Welsh Government.

Pioneering programmes include a Shared Apprenticeship in Hospitality, which has been completed by 11 apprentices and a new professional development programme completed by 14 senior chefs.

In addition smartphone Apps have been developed to help level one and two learners identify ways they can make a greater contribution to business success and for taxi drivers to ensure that they give visitors a warm welcome to Wales.

A new website has also been created to help individuals learn the basic cooking skills they need to begin a career in food preparation and cooking roles.

All the projects were supported by the Welsh Government’s Sector Priorities Fund Pilot Programme, which aims to ensure that the delivery of post-16 skills provision is tailored to the needs of employers.

Unique to Wales, the Shared Apprenticeship allowed each of the 11 learners to complete their apprenticeship by rotating between three employers over 18 months. They were supported, mentored and trained in different brands across different working cultures, thereby extending their knowledge, skills and experience.

A highly successful partnership was developed between employers, training providers and learners to develop an apprenticeship model that will, hopefully, be sustainable beyond the pilot project.

The proposed Higher Apprenticeship was designed as a career pathway for chefs who want to continue to focus on cooking as well as management.

One of the chefs to complete the programme, Pascal Meril, catering service manager at St Joseph’s Hospital, Malpas, Newport.

The qualification supports Visit Wales’ ambitions to raise the standard of food and drink tourism in Wales by improving the number of highly skilled chefs. People 1st Cymru is now seeking an awarding body to accredit the new qualification, which will be developed into a Higher Apprenticeship framework.

The smartphone app for taxi drivers, which is being piloted in Cardiff, Anglesey, Penarth, Llanelli and Rhonda Cynon Taff, is linked to a formal qualification. It aims to raise standards and help ensure taxi drivers reflect the warm Welsh welcome for visitors set out in the Visit Wales Tourism Strategy.

The app to empower staff at levels one and two to make a greater contribution to business success is completing its pilot stage with organisations across Wales. Popular former BBC Radio Wales presenter Roy Noble is the voice on both apps.

The new website has been developed in response to People 1st research that revealed a shortage of people attracted to and staying in chef roles in Wales and the UK. Part of the challenge is that, unless an individual attends college or does an apprenticeship, it can be difficult to break into the right establishments without a foundation of cooking skills.

The website starts with the basics and builds a strong foundation of useful skills and knowledge.

The Deputy Minister said: “The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that individuals are equipped with the skills needed to grow, adapt and embrace change.

“The Apprenticeships and smartphone applications developed by People 1st through the Welsh Government’s Sector Priorities Fund Programme offer a valuable opportunity for those working as chefs, taxi drivers or within the hospitality sector to develop their skills and maximise their contribution to their sector.

“I hope that their achievements will serve as a positive example to others of what the hospitality sector can offer in terms of employment and career opportunities and how its work compliments the tourism industry.

“Those working in the hospitality sector have the chance to make sure that people enjoy their stay in Wales, but most importantly, through their actions, they can help ensure that tourists come back to enjoy what Wales has to offer.”

Phil Raynsford, People 1st Cymru director, said all the projects were derived through research directly carried out and interpreted by People 1st.

“We have achieved a huge amount to support employers, learners and learning providers during the last two years,” he added. “This is in no small part thanks to the support of the Welsh Government and the many employers we have worked with to develop and pilot our products.

“If there is one theme that runs through all our work at People 1st it’s success through partnerships. We have built robust and productive partnerships to help our industries access the skills solutions and interventions that employers need.”