NAW 2022 | Case Study | HIT Training apprentice Rob Chivers

Rob Chivers started his ‘Team Leading Level 3’ apprenticeship programme through HIT Training at Center Parcs, Longleat Forest at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on 15 January 2020. He tells us how training through the pandemic was tough but how his perseverance has paid off and how the IoH resources have contributed to his success.

As part of my progression within Center Parcs, my head of department and head of F&B put me forward to complete the apprenticeship course through HIT Training. Overall, it has been going very well even with the disruption of COVID-19. At the start of my training, we had full group sessions in our training room, but like many businesses, we had to move our training online using Zoom.  It has been hard to complete many tasks during that time as we were unable to put our skills to the test and practice. In fact, many of the group lost motivation but we have all pulled through.

IoH resources

As part of my HIT Training apprenticeship, I was given free membership of the Institute of Hospitality (IoH). I have used their resources a lot and still do today. I mainly attend the different online webinars and read the eBooks in the library. Watching the online sessions gives me advice on how to deal with different customers, team members and managers. The other online sessions I have watched are great for my own personal development and for advice.

Promoted

During my time on the apprenticeship, I have learned a lot. Most of us have already been promoted to higher levels in our own units and at Center Parcs. The best part of being part of this training experience has been meeting new people and putting our new skills to the test on a daily basis. My future ambition is to progress, either at Center Parcs or use the skills learned in a new management-level job. Personally, I’m looking forward to starting a family with my fiancé and getting married in 2024!

Worth the hard work

If I had to give advice to someone who is about to start an apprenticeship I would say it is a lot of hard work but it is worth it in the end. The benefits are definitely worth the hard work and apprenticeship training can and does lead to more opportunities and better things.

Rob Chivers – Starbucks Manager at Center Parcs & HIT Training apprentice

For more information about a hospitality training apprenticeship through HIT Training, please visit their website.

The IoH supports National Apprenticeship Week #NAW2022 #imin #BuildTheFuture #MoreThanAJob.