National Apprenticeship Week spotlights the transformative power of apprenticeships, so we sat down with Eleanor, Senior Chef De Partie at The PIG. Eleanor successfully completed two apprenticeships with award-winning luxury hospitality training provider Umbrella Training and End-Point Assessment Organisation BIIAB.
Umbrella Training is best known for offering nationwide training and delivering apprenticeships in hospitality, front-of-house, and culinary roles. All of the team at Umbrella have had a career in hospitality, and for them, it’s a passion and a mission to ensure everyone has the best opportunities in the industry.
We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to have meaningful training and education; no matter what their background is, everyone should have the opportunity to grow in the hospitality sector. We are also here to fly the flag to showcase that hospitality is an amazing industry to work.
Eleanor has experienced this approach firsthand hand, having completed her Level 2 Commis Chef Apprenticeship in 2023 & Level 3 Chef de Partie apprenticeship in 2024, both with Umbrella Training. Over to you, Eleanor.
What made you choose an Apprenticeship over other educational options?
I chose an apprenticeship because I liked the idea of working and learning at the same time, with most of the learning taking place on the job as opposed to in a classroom. This also allowed me to earn money whilst training, which was hugely beneficial to me.
What were your initial thoughts and concerns about starting an apprenticeship?
My initial thoughts and concerns about starting the apprenticeship were about the balance of coursework alongside full-time work. I was pleasantly surprised by how well my training provider, Umbrella Training, and my employer, The PIG, worked together to benefit my studies. Monthly sessions took place on Zoom, meaning there was no unnecessary travel, and I was able to complete my studies and coursework alongside my work easily.
How has your apprenticeship helped you develop key skills? For example, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
The apprenticeship has helped me develop a variety of useful skills during my training. Each monthly session involved virtual learning with coursework, group activities, and tasks to complete in the workplace. These activities improved my teamwork and communication skills as learners worked together to complete tasks related to the session’s learning. They also helped me work on my problem-solving skills, which have become very useful in the workplace.
Have you felt supported by Umbrella Training throughout your apprenticeship, and in what ways have they supported you?
I have felt extremely supported by Umbrella Training during my apprenticeship. My mentor, Sean, helped me every step of the way by providing engaging learning sessions, valuable worksheets, and tasks that prepared me for the End-Point Assessment (EPA). Sean always made time for me, offering support with any questions I had, particularly in preparation for my final exam and the completion of my coursework.
I try to provide apprentices with what they need for their course criteria, and I also aim to give them options so they can tweak things to make it benefitical to them in their workplace.
Has your apprenticeship had any impact on your career aspirations?
My apprenticeship has had a huge impact on my career aspirations. I completed my Level 2 apprenticeship with Umbrella as a Commis Chef, and now, after completing my second apprenticeship, I have been promoted to Senior Chef De Partie. This is a reflection on the valuable learning during my time as an apprentice both in the kitchen and as an Umbrella student.
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?
If you are considering an apprenticeship, my advice is to DO IT! Umbrella is brilliant at ensuring you learn on the job, gain further knowledge through your coursework, and are prepared for your exams so you can complete them to the highest level. You won’t regret it.
How did you prepare for the EPA?
I prepared for my EPA by reviewing the online resources supplied by Umbrella, reflecting on my coursework, and taking mock exams.
This prepared me for the real exam and meant that I was ready to complete the exam confidently and to a high level. I was also able to discuss any concerns about the EPA with my mentor, which was extremely reassuring.
What was your experience of the BIIAB EPA process?
My experience of the BIIAB EPA process was very positive. I felt confident and ready for the final examinations after the extensive training provided by Umbrella. Each part of the exam was well explained prior, and the examiners were friendly and professional; this made the examination process feel straightforward and uncomplicated.
How did the BIIAB EPA help you demonstrate your competence and achieve your apprenticeship goals?
The BIIAB EPA helped me show competence and achieve my apprenticeship goals by requiring a three-part examination process.
The first part of the exam was a multiple choice examination, the second was a practical examination, and the third part was a professional discussion. This enabled me to reflect upon my training, show competence in the kitchen and demonstrate my knowledge. This also shows a wide variety of skills learned by completing different examinations and pushed me to achieve my apprenticeship goals.
As both an employer of apprentices and an EPAO, we understand and value the impact of apprenticeships. Our experience equips us with the knowledge of what employers and apprentices need, making the assessment process clear, easy to use and responsive. We are passionate about apprenticeships and the future of apprentices, striving to provide them with the very best start to their careers.
Do you think your apprenticeship has improved your employability? And if so, how?
I think that the apprenticeship has hugely improved my employability. Now that I have completed the examinations and have my qualifications, I have the confidence and skills to look into furthering my career by working my way up the ranks in my current kitchen and possibly abroad. This will allow me to continue learning and showcase my knowledge in exciting new ways.
What do you consider the biggest benefits of completing an apprenticeship?
I think that the biggest benefit of completing an apprenticeship, alongside having the qualifications, is the knowledge learned both on and off the job. This is something that students taking a more academic route don’t have the benefit of. I am ready to progress and jump straight into further roles due to my abilities and the work I have completed to date during the apprenticeship.
What’s next?
I am looking to keep progressing in my current kitchen at The PIG at Combe and work my way up the ranks. I would also like to have my own food business one day, so I plan to travel to the USA (Texas specifically) to continue learning and further my knowledge in a way that gives me all the tools to create a unique and thriving business that I can call my own. and perhaps even provide opportunities for the apprentices of the future.
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