HIT Training Wins Award for Championing Social Mobility Through Apprenticeships


We are thrilled to announce that HIT Training Ltd has been recognised in the British Training Awards 2024 as ‘Apprenticeship Provider of the Year’ for our efforts in championing social mobility through apprenticeships.

Celebrating the organisations that are passionate about learning & development’s role in building a thriving workforce, HIT’s two groundbreaking initiatives over the last year were praised by judges for having a significant impact on social mobility.

The British Training Awards 2024 received over 300 entries from organisations across the UK, and the competition to be named a winner was particularly tough.

We are incredibly proud to be a winner!

Breaking new ground

In May 2023, the Department for Education selected HIT for a unique SEND exemption pilot which allowed learners who would not typically qualify for apprenticeships to embark on life changing learning journeys. The programme was a huge success and in March 2024, the Government announced that, following the success of the pilot, all training providers will now be able to offer the same exemptions to apprentices as a permanent initiative. 

Thanks to the pilot, learners with low English and maths proficiency levels and lacking evidence of special educational needs statements, can access apprenticeships by passing the lower level of Functional Skills English and maths at Entry Level 3. 

Making an impact

The impact of this initiative has been truly groundbreaking in opening up learning and development opportunities through apprenticeships. HIT currently has 136 learners on the programme with more undergoing eligibility assessments. These are learners who wouldn’t previously have had the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship. 

At HIT, every apprentice can meet with a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCo) to complete an assessment for learning needs and/or disabilities. Whenever support needs are identified, a specialist team works with apprentices to implement support requirements.

Furthermore, in the last year, 550 plus apprentices in receipt of an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) have achieved an apprenticeship qualification with HIT. This represents an outstanding 76% achievement rate. 

Few training providers provide this level of specialist learning and development support and personal success stories show its profound impact.

Leading the way in apprenticeships for prisoners

The second trailblazing initiative was the launch of HIT’s partnership with The Clink Charity to create an apprenticeship programme for serving prisoners. As the first of its kind, the scheme aims to equip prisoners with essential skills, including a minimum level of English and maths, and enhance their employability prospects while facilitating their reintegration into society upon release.

The programme, which “has the potential to transform people’s lives” according to Chief Executive of The Clink Charity Yvonne Thomas, offers hands-on training and access to relevant workplace qualifications. Already, the first prisoners are on board.

Nate Harwood, Founder of New Possible and British Training Awards judge said:

In a rapidly changing world, the need for an agile and resilient workforce has never been greater. It is talented, committed, and passionate L&D professionals who are meeting this challenge head-on, and the British Training Awards serves to recognise these inspiring individuals and teams. A huge congratulations to all the Winners and Finalists.

Firms taking part in the awards ranged from start-up innovators to public sector heroes, tech superstars, global titans and everything in between. Winners were revealed at a special celebration event in London, hosted by comedian Fiona Allen. 


HIT Training Ltd moves to employee ownership

Making 2022 The ‘Year of Retention’

HIT produces 1500 free meals on National Hospitality Day

Introducing the New Normal for HIT’s Apprenticeship Delivery

HIT Training Receives Matrix Accreditation

Flexi-apprenticeships are the Answer to the Dwindling Hospitality Workforce

An Industry Collaboration

Hospitality Unites to Launch New Graduate Apprenticeship Programme

Brewer Apprenticeship Graduation Event: Celebrating Brewing Talent and Achievement

HIT Training Apprentice Becomes First to Achieve New Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship

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

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

Sodexo partners with HIT to gift £250k of levy to support hospitality apprentices

Rising stars named in prestigious Young National Chef of the Year semi-final line-up

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

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

HIT Training and The Clink Charity announce new partnership to launch apprenticeships for serving prisoners

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

Brewer Apprentices Celebrate Success at 2025 Graduation and Untapped Awards

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

‘The Super Six’ Unveiled

Do Hospitality Careers Need a Rebrand?

Hospitality Apprentices Impress at HIT Masterchef Finals

Update to our company name

How to Inspire Young People to Choose a Career in Hospitality

Creating a Learn-it-All Culture

Apprentice Drew Dawson Crowned Winner of Toque D’or® 2019

We’re Unmasking Talent in the Hospitality Industry with the Launch of the HIT Heroes Awards

HIT’s UnTapped Brewer Competition is back for 2025

John Hyde Scoops Special Recognition Award

Grow your team with retail apprenticeships

Employer Newsletter – We’re here to stay

Functional Skills: The Cornerstone of Apprenticeships

HIT supports new platform to promote pub and hospitality careers

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

HIT Training Ltd Wins Excellence in English and Maths Skills Development at the Apprenticeship and Training Awards

A Listening Ear Makes All the Difference: World Suicide Prevention Day

Leading the Way: Long Awaited Production Chef Apprenticeship is Launched

HIT Training Named in Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work for

We Are Now a Planet Mark Certified Business

Mental Health Awareness Week – Dealing with Anxiety

Budget Reflections: Key Impacts on Skills and Training

What are apprenticeships? A guide for employers.

Don’t Waste: The Future of Hospitality

Train your staff through hospitality apprenticeships

Boost Your Mental Health Through Small Acts of Kindness

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

HIT Celebrates Hospitality Day

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

Hospitality Apprenticeships Week 2021 to Showcase Industry as #Morethanajob

HIT Training and BII Collaborate on a Series of Ready to Reopen Webinars

HIT Launches New Fish Friers Apprenticeship

Flavour of Success at The Restaurant Show

Supporting Employers During the Economic Recovery

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

HIT Training Recognised at the TES FE Awards 2018

How to Manage Stress: Stress Awareness Month 2021

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

Crunch Time: Over Half of Hospitality Businesses Risk Losing their Apprenticeship Levy Fund

Center Parcs Celebrates Apprentice Trailblazers

Deliveroo Launches New Chef Apprenticeship Fund to Tackle Skills Shortage

HIT partners with Hospitality Jobs UK to form new recruitment partnership

Free online assessment to help employers shape their workforce

How to Minimise Kitchen Food Waste

HIT’s Executive Chair Jill Whittaker OBE wins award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry’

It’s Time to Take Unnecessary Food Waste off the Menu

The Opportunity Provider (TOP) ranked 28th in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers

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

Future-Proof Your Business and Save Big: National Insurance Savings for Employers of Apprentices Under 25

HIT Training Launches Free Workshops to Help Close the Chef Skills Gap in the Capital

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

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

Omicron and COVID Plan B Update

The Opportunity Provider and Scrumptious Marketing Announce Strategic Employer Branding Partnership

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

Culture of Craft – The Rise of the Craft Apprenticeship

All Change – It’s Time to Reserve Your Apprenticeship Funding!

Untapped competition: Meet the 2024 Rising Stars of Brewing

HIT Training Recognised at the Foodservice Cateys 2018

Why we Need Apprenticeships to Build the Future

How to Overcome Misconceptions and Unleash Employee Potential

HIT Heroes Award Winners 2023

Jill makes Public Sector Catering’s ‘Most Influential’ list

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

HIT Heroes Award Winners 2022

How to Offer a Degree Apprenticeship for Employers

Three Ways to Keep your Staff Motivated and Inspired During Lockdown 3.0

HIT Training Offers Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship to Drive Business Improvement

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

How to Solve Your Staffing Problems with Apprenticeships

Research Reveals a Positive Change in Perceptions of Hospitality Careers

HIT Training Ltd Signs New Business Drive to Help The Nation Through COVID-19 Crisis

National Inclusion Week 2024: Why Impact Matters in Apprenticeships

HIT Training Ltd announces new Managing Director Mike Worley

HIT Training Launches Suite of Training Courses and Workshops to Upskill Hospitality Teams

The Apprenticeship Levy One Year on

Integrating Plant Based Food into your Menu

‘Forward with Marcus Wareing’ programme expands following huge success

New Graduate Apprenticeship Launched to Build Future Hospitality Leaders

Turn a first job into a future career with a foundation apprenticeship

Sign up to news, events and great resources