Apprenticeship accolade for seafood academy

The Seafood Pub Company has been named the Large Employer of the Year in the Liverpool City Region, Cumbria and Lancashire region of the National Apprenticeship Awards for its joint initiative with the college which aims to make students truly work ready and address an industry-wide chef shortage.

“We’re delighted to have received this award,” said Mark Taft, Head of Kitchen Operations at the Seafood Pub Company. “With 12 award-winning food, drink and accommodation sites across Lancashire and Yorkshire, we are passionate about inspiring the next generation of young chefs through an innovative training and development programme.

“Our workforce of apprentices continues to grow and with plans to add three new sites to our portfolio next year, we will be able to offer training and employment to increasing numbers of apprentices. Winning this prestigious award will give our seafood academy the platform it deserves to help more and more apprentices pursue their dream careers in the hospitality industry, supported by an award-winning college and an award-winning employer.”

Skills and Apprenticeships Minister Anne Milton said: “The National Apprenticeship Awards are a fantastic way to demonstrate the incredible benefits and contributions of both apprentices and their employers across the country.

Sue Husband, director of the National Apprenticeship Service, added: “Winners recognised today in the North West region show the range of sectors and variety of job roles apprenticeships are available in, and how they can deliver the skills employers need. I congratulate all winners on their success and wish them the very best of luck for the next stage of the competition.” The National Apprenticeship Awards are now in their 14th year and are designed to showcase the successes and benefits of apprenticeships across England. The regional award winners from the ceremony at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool will now progress to the national judges where three finalists from each category will be selected as national finalists.