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


Sodexo UK & Ireland has partnered with HIT Training to support small and medium sized hospitality businesses with £250,000 funding from its annual apprenticeship levy to support culinary apprenticeship programmes.

The partnership between Sodexo and HIT Training will remove financial barriers from small and medium-sized (SME) hospitality businesses across the UK and open employment opportunities in the hospitality industry for young people in disadvantaged areas.

The gifted levy from Sodexo will fund culinary programmes delivered by HIT Training, supporting individuals to gain industry-recognised qualifications, hands-on experience, and the confidence to thrive in professional kitchens. HIT’s programmes are tailored to meet learners where they are, offering flexible, supportive training that leads to long-term career progression.

Bill Buchan, HR Director, Sodexo UK & Ireland said:

“It is incumbent on businesses such as our own to play an active role every day in breaking down the barriers to opportunity that exist in our country.  As an employer of more than 30,000 people, we have the power to be a driver of social mobility everywhere that we operate. Through this partnership with HIT Training we are opening doors to meaningful careers in hospitality for people who may not otherwise have access to training and development opportunities. 

Together with HIT we are helping build a more inclusive and resilient hospitality workforce by investing in skills and creating pathways into the industry.”

Mike Worley, Managing Director, HIT Training said:

“The future of hospitality depends on developing skilled, confident people who can thrive in the sector. By partnering with Sodexo, we can help small and medium-sized businesses access vital training that would otherwise be out of reach. This not only gives apprentices the chance to gain recognised qualifications and grow their careers, but also ensures the industry has the talent and expertise it needs to adapt, innovate and succeed long into the future.”

Sodexo’s approach when selecting an organisation is to ‘gift with purpose’ to those that share its social value ethos and ensuring they have an inclusive workplace. Since 2019 it has pledged around £2.5 million of the apprenticeship levy it pays.

Large businesses, such as Sodexo, that pay the apprenticeship levy can choose to transfer up to 50% of their levy funds each year to other organisations to pay for their apprenticeship training and assessment.

Hospitality SMEs interested in learning more about eligibility and programme options to access levy-gifted apprenticeship training can contact HIT Training by emailing [email protected].


Do Hospitality Careers Need a Rebrand?

How to Manage Stress: Stress Awareness Month 2021

The Importance of a Mentor for Apprentices

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

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

We Are Now a Planet Mark Certified Business

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

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

There’s No Age Limit to Invaluable Training

Alex Angelogiannis wows judges to take top spot in National Chef of the Year competition

The Opportunity Provider and Scrumptious Marketing Announce Strategic Employer Branding Partnership

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

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

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

Hospitality Apprenticeship Showcase 2021 goes Online

HIT’s exciting brewing competition is back for 2024

What employers need to know about new funding rules

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

Train your staff through hospitality apprenticeships

Untapped competition: Meet the 2024 Rising Stars of Brewing

HIT Training Wins Award for Championing Social Mobility Through Apprenticeships

Hospitality Apprenticeships Week 2021 to Showcase Industry as #Morethanajob

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

Creating a Learn-it-All Culture

Research Reveals a Positive Change in Perceptions of Hospitality Careers

HIT celebrates new tri-nation partnership

Center Parcs Celebrates Apprentice Trailblazers

Making 2022 The ‘Year of Retention’

HIT Training Ltd announces new Managing Director Mike Worley

HIT partners with Hospitality Jobs UK to form new recruitment partnership

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

HIT Training Ltd Embarks on the Journey to Net Zero with Planet Mark Certification

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

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

How to Minimise Kitchen Food Waste

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

Medals All Round for our Fired Up Four!

Update to our company name

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

The Power of Adding Plant-Based to your Menu

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

Election priorities: Fixing the apprenticeship levy by Jill Whittaker OBE

Developing an Apprenticeship Strategy

Deliveroo Launches New Chef Apprenticeship Fund to Tackle Skills Shortage

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

What we Can Learn from the Industry About Infection Control

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

John Hyde Scoops Special Recognition Award

Three Signs your Employees are Reaching Burnout – and How to Support Them

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

How to Inspire Young People to Choose a Career in Hospitality

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

HIT Heroes Award Winners Announced for 2021

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

New Principal appointed to HIT Chef Academy

Omicron and COVID Plan B Update

HIT Training LTD Receives Royal Recognition for Outstanding Training Impact

Join us for a summer of learning at HIT Training!

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

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

What is the Apprenticeship Levy?

An Industry Collaboration

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

Meet our six Salon Culinaire apprentices!

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

HIT Launches New Fish Friers Apprenticeship

‘The Super Six’ Unveiled

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

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

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

There is a New Star in the Hospitality Industry

HIT Training Apprentice Becomes First to Achieve New Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship

HIT produces 1500 free meals on National Hospitality Day

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

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

Educate Your Team on the Mental Health Benefits of Food

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

HIT Training Recognised at the TES FE Awards 2018

Jill Whittaker Takes Top Honour at the 2024 Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards

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

New movement to tackle gender inequality in the kitchen

It’s ‘Time to Talk’

From First Job to Future Career

HIT’s UnTapped Brewer Competition is back for 2025

HIT Training Receives Matrix Accreditation

Working together with the New Government

Employer Newsletter – We’re here to stay

It’s official – our SEND pilot is now permanent!

HIT Training Ltd Wins Prestigious Apprenticeship Provider of the Year Award for the Second Consecutive Year

HIT Celebrates Hospitality Day

HIT Heroes Award Winners 2023

Brewer Apprenticeship Graduation Event: Celebrating Brewing Talent and Achievement

HIT supports new platform to promote pub and hospitality careers

The Benefits of Learning at Work for your Business and Workforce

What Are Flexible Apprenticeships?

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

The Young National Chef of the Year Finalists Have Been Revealed

Access Global Opportunities for Your Apprentices

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

Time to Open up About Mental Health During COVID-19

Sign up to news, events and great resources