In the heart of Birmingham, a culinary journey unfolds as Kundai Nazare, four weeks into his Level 2 Commis Chef apprenticeship, immerses himself in the art of storytelling through food.

“I’ve always been a creative person since a young age… my creativity lies in telling stories. And I think through food you can tell different stories from different cultures,” he reflects.

Kundai’s path began at Xcelerate, Compass Group UK & Ireland’s dedicated regional community skills and learning hub in Edgbaston. This state-of-the-art facility has welcomed over 2,000 individuals since opening one year ago, offering training in various hospitality skills, from culinary to barista expertise and facilities management.

As part of our Apprenticeships: Unlocking Opportunities programme, Kirsty Adams, People Director Talent, Leadership, Learning & Inclusion at Compass Group UK & Ireland, highlights the company’s inclusive approach: “We’re a growth business; we’re a low barrier-to-entry employer, so that means as long as you’ve got the right attitude, we can train you in that skill… and that’s quite unique as a proposition for an organisation.”

Kirsty Adams, People Director Talent, Leadership, Learning & Inclusion at Compass Group UK & Ireland.

This commitment is part of Compass’s ‘Mission to a Million’ initiative, aiming to positively impact 1,000,000 lives by 2030. In the past year alone, 200 individuals facing challenges entering the workforce have found opportunities through Compass. The initiative also focuses on offering work placements, internships, and mentoring programmes to support individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed to thrive in their careers.

 

Beyond entry-level positions, Compass invests in growth at all levels – including its seasoned colleagues. Nicola Harper, for instance, recently completed her Level 4 Senior Culinary Chef apprenticeship through the ‘Forward with Marcus Wareing‘ programme. This initiative, launched in partnership with the renowned chef in 2021, offers advanced training alongside Level 4 and Level 5 apprenticeship standards, delivered in partnership with national hospitality training provider, HIT Training.

“I had to do an interview in front of Marcus. I cooked him a couple of dishes and did a big presentation about why we wanted to be on the cohort and why was it so important to keep learning,” Nicola shares. “When this position came up for Group Executive Chef, I applied for it and was lucky enough to get the position. I wouldn’t be in the role now if it wasn’t for the apprenticeship.”

Compass’s people-first philosophy is evident in initiatives like its Junior Chef Academy, where chefs like Nicola engage with local schools to teach children cooking skills and introduce them to hospitality careers. Over a 10-week programme, students progress from basic techniques to preparing a three-course meal for their families and teachers.

“For me, it’s about engaging with the local community and injecting a little bit of enthusiasm for our young chefs around the community to get involved with hospitality,” says Nicola.

The academy aims not only to inspire young talent but also to educate them on the importance of nutrition and healthy eating habits, fostering a generation of informed and passionate future chefs.

In recognition of its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, Compass Group UK & Ireland was named a patron of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance in 2023. The company was also named Large Employer of the Year at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards last year.

Additionally, Compass has implemented various inclusion initiatives, such as unconscious bias training and colleague networks, to ensure a supportive and equitable work environment where everyone can thrive.

Compass Group UK & Ireland’s initiatives are pivotal in creating pathways for individuals, no matter what their experience or background, to enter the food and hospitality sector. By offering accessible training and development programmes, the company ensures that everyone, regardless of their starting point, has the opportunity to build a rewarding career — which, as Kirsty reflects, “is good for business, good for the communities that we operate within, and good for society overall.”

 

To learn more about Compass Group UK & Ireland’s apprenticeship programmes and opportunities, visit their Early Careers page.