Hospitality Employers Back Shorter Apprenticeships as HIT Launches New Working Group

From August 2025, subject to a change in legislation, the government will reduce the minimum duration of all apprenticeships from 12 months to 8 months. In addition, new 8-month apprenticeship models will be developed for specific roles in priority sectors such as health, construction, and green industries.

These reforms are designed to:

• Support faster onboarding and upskilling
• Respond to immediate workforce needs
• Maintain the full quality and assessment requirements expected of every apprenticeship

HIT Training is taking a proactive role in preparing the hospitality sector for these changes. We’ve launched a national employer survey and are now setting up an employer working group to co-design how shorter apprenticeships could be delivered effectively in two key roles:

• Food and Beverage Team Member
• Production Chef

These roles are often high turnover and fast paced, making them well suited to a more agile training model that still delivers full competence and confidence on the job.

What Employers Told Us

In May 2025, we asked employers delivering Level 2 apprenticeships for their views on the potential move to shorter durations. The response was clear:

• 58.3% said they would be more likely to recruit apprentices if they could be trained in just 8 months.
• 70.8% said shorter apprenticeships would help them either reskill or upskill staff more efficiently, or do both.

These results confirm that there is strong appetite across the hospitality sector to explore how shorter, more focused apprenticeships could better meet business needs.

What’s Happening Next?

Over the coming weeks, HIT Training will bring together the working group to explore how existing apprenticeship standards can be successfully delivered over an 8-month period. The group will work closely with our curriculum and delivery teams to consider how learning can be structured, how off-the-job training requirements can be met within the reduced timeframe, and how apprentices and their line managers can be best supported throughout the programme. Together, we’ll ensure that any new approach continues to uphold the high standards that employers and learners rightly expect.

Want to Get Involved?

If you’re a hospitality employer and want to be part of the working group – or if you’d like to be kept informed of progress – we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Paul Mannering at paul.mannering@hittraining.co.uk

Together, we’re designing apprenticeships that are faster, focused and fit for the future of hospitality.