HIT Training Apprentice Becomes First to Achieve New Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship


An apprentice supported by HIT Training has become the first in the country to complete the new Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship and has passed with flying colours, achieving a Distinction.

Caitlin Wooldridge, a trainee bar manager at Stanton Lakes near Leicester, completed the Level 3 standard, specialising in food and beverage. Through the programme, she has gained the skills required to independently supervise hospitality services, run shifts and motivate a team, providing vital support to management. Having experienced a variety of areas of business operations as part of her apprenticeship, Caitlin is now considering broadening her hospitality horizons to learn more about events planning and management at Stanton Lakes.

Jill Whittaker, Managing Director at HIT Training, said: “We are so pleased for Caitlin. The new apprenticeship standards are very much designed to encourage apprentices to take a more forward-thinking, business-like and creative approach to learning which will ultimately not only support them into a long and fruitful career but also support the business needs of their employer. It’s wonderful to see Caitlin’s hard work recognised with a Distinction and to hear that her apprenticeship is opening doors for her into other areas of the business – it is exactly what apprenticeships are all about.”

Helen Lambert, Caitlin’s Line Manager at Stanton Lakes, said: “Caitlin has worked for us since she was 16 years old, starting out as a kitchen porter before beginning to work her way up through the ranks towards the role of bar manager. It has been amazing to watch her confidence grow as her career has progressed and to now see her training more junior staff. With the help of HIT Training’s tailored support, this apprenticeship has given Caitlin the perfect foundation to build her skills through on-the-job training and I feel so proud that she is the first person in the country to complete the apprenticeship and receive a distinction.”

Caitlin Wooldridge added: “I’m so glad I chose to go down the apprenticeship route. I did initially apply to go to university, but after working throughout the summer I realised that doing a course alongside my job would be a better choice for me. It’s vocational so it helps to practice your skill as well as adding value to your education at the same time. Doing this apprenticeship with HIT Training has really opened my eyes to the possibilities a career in hospitality offers and I’d like to look at taking on a more managerial role in the future.” 

If Caitlin’s story has inspired you to start your own journey, discover our full range of hospitality apprenticeships near me.

HIT Training was the first national hospitality training provider to deliver the new apprenticeship standards, which are part of the Government-led overhaul to the apprenticeship system. The standards are designed to raise the bar and ensure training is in line with the requirements of the fast-paced hospitality industry and individual job roles.

Unlike the old apprenticeship frameworks, the new standards focus on one end-point assessment, which was carried out by Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) for Caitlin. The new process is designed to be even more rigorous, with the final assessment being tailored to each individual apprenticeship. Across all standards, this includes a two-hour observation, multiple choice exam and interview to discuss the apprentices’ learning journey and past experiences. 

Click here for more information on the Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship


HIT Heroes Award Winners 2023

Hat-trick for HIT: Apprenticeship Provider of the Year three years running

Making 2022 The ‘Year of Retention’

Election priorities: Fixing the apprenticeship levy by Jill Whittaker OBE

The Future Hospitality Workforce: What Will it Look Like Following COVID-19?

Managing Stress Levels in the Midst of a Global Pandemic

Jill Whittaker, Managing Director of HIT Training Ltd, Awarded OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours

Harness the Power of Plant Based: One Bite at a Time

HIT Training Features for Fourth Time in The Sunday Times’ Top 100 Best Companies to Work for’

New National Chef of the Year is unveiled in front of industry elite

There’s No Age Limit to Invaluable Training

HIT Training Ltd Celebrates Prestigious Gold Membership of The 5% Club for Second Year Running

HIT Training First to Launch New Qualification for Health and Social Care Sector

Apprentices Make History After Completing the UK’s First Ever Brewer Apprenticeship

HIT Training Ltd scoops the award for Best Training Provider at the prestigious Apprenticeship Guide Awards

HIT’s UnTapped Brewer Competition is back for 2025

Industry Collaboration Launches Talent Hub to Inspire and Retain Next Generation of Hospitality Professionals

Two HIT Apprentices Make MasterChef Finals

Brewer Apprentices Celebrate Success at 2025 Graduation and Untapped Awards

What we Can Learn from the Industry About Infection Control

HIT Training Ltd Earns Prestigious Gold Membership in The 5% Club

Mental Health Awareness Week – Dealing with Anxiety

How to Offer a Degree Apprenticeship for Employers

UnTapped 2025 is here, and our Super Seven finalists are thirsty for success!

Vacherin’s Nick Smith Crowned Winner of the Craft Guild of Chefs’ National Chef of the Year

New Hospitality Academy Launches to Tackle Industry Challenges and Raise Service Standards

Creating a Learn-it-All Culture

How the ‘Mini-Budget’ Supports Employers, Training and Skills Development

HIT Training Ltd moves to employee ownership

Championing Change in Functional Skills

National Apprenticeship Awards 2020 – Open for Entries!

HIT Heroes Winners Unveiled in Celebration Event

Rising stars of the UK culinary scene revealed for Young National Chef of the Year final

HIT Training Wins Award for Championing Social Mobility Through Apprenticeships

Functional Skills: The Cornerstone of Apprenticeships

Introducing the Executive Development Network (EDN)

HIT Training launches intelligent apprenticeship recruitment service for hospitality and retail, in partnership with urfuture

HIT Training Ltd Receives Matrix Standard

Britain’s First Job Problem: Why Career Starter Sectors Matter

‘Forward with Marcus Wareing’ programme expands following huge success

The Opportunity Provider and Scrumptious Marketing Announce Strategic Employer Branding Partnership

HIT Retains One Third of Staff for Over 10 Years

HIT Training Ltd Welcomes Government Reforms to Functional Skills and Shorter Apprenticeships

From First Job to Future Career

HIT Heroes Award Winners Announced for 2021

HIT Training Ltd. Publishes White Paper on Apprenticeship Reforms and Workforce Development

The Benefits of Learning at Work for your Business and Workforce

National Inclusion Week 2024: Why Impact Matters in Apprenticeships

The Importance of a Mentor for Apprentices

Entries now open for the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards 2025

Budget Reflections: Key Impacts on Skills and Training

HIT produces 1500 free meals on National Hospitality Day

Hospitality Apprenticeships Week 2021 to Showcase Industry as #Morethanajob

How to Inspire Young People to Choose a Career in Hospitality

Untapped – HIT Training’s Brewer Apprentice Competition

Protecting the Future of the Sector: Hospitality Businesses Pledge to Fund Apprenticeships Outside Their Organisation

HIT Celebrates Hospitality Day

HIT Training Elevates Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion by Becoming Patrons of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance

Flavour of Success at The Restaurant Show

HIT Heroes Award Winners 2022

HIT Training Recognised at the TES FE Awards 2018

Chopping Boards to Boardrooms: The Benefits of Apprenticeships at Any Career Stage

HIT Training Ltd named “Learning Provider of the Year” at the 2025 Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards

Grow your team with retail apprenticeships

Educate Your Team on the Mental Health Benefits of Food

The Apprenticeship Levy One Year on

HIT Untapped competition: Meet the 2026 Stars of Brewing

Winners of Fired Up and Un-Tapped Apprentice Competitions 2023 announced

HIT Training Ltd Receives ‘Good’ Ofsted Rating for 14th Consecutive Year

Women in beer are brewing up change

HIT Training welcomes Government’s Fully Funded Apprenticeship Initiative for Small Businesses

We Are Now a Planet Mark Certified Business

The Clink Charity identifies first candidates for in-prison apprenticeships in partnership with HIT Training

What employers need to know about new funding rules

Meet our six Salon Culinaire apprentices!

Omicron and COVID Plan B Update

The Power of Adding Plant-Based to your Menu

Sodexo Culinary Academy focuses on inspiring and elevating chefs at every level

Hospitality Employers Back Shorter Apprenticeships as HIT Launches New Working Group

How to Minimise Kitchen Food Waste

Gravetye Manor chef takes the top spot in Young National Chef of the Year

Employer Newsletter – We’re here to stay

How to Solve Your Staffing Problems with Apprenticeships

Working together with the New Government

A Year of Achievement: HIT celebrates its first year under employee ownership.

Introducing the New Normal for HIT’s Apprenticeship Delivery

Update to our company name

Why we Need Apprenticeships to Build the Future

HIT Training Receives Matrix Accreditation

Access Global Opportunities for Your Apprentices

Time to Open up About Mental Health During COVID-19

The Newt in Somerset Unveils ‘Elevate’ – A Bespoke Hospitality Academy in partnership with HIT Training

How to Manage Stress: Stress Awareness Month 2021

Brewer Apprenticeship Graduation Event: Celebrating Brewing Talent and Achievement

Hospitality Unites to Launch New Graduate Apprenticeship Programme

Helping Young People Into Work: every employer can do one thing

The Real Barrier to Exceptional Hospitality Isn’t What You Think

Institute of Hospitality and HIT Training Invest in the Industry’s Future

HIT supports new platform to promote pub and hospitality careers

Medals All Round for our Fired Up Four!

Sign up to news, events and great resources