Building skills, strengthening business: Training and apprenticeships for Lancashire’s visitor economy

Lancashire’s travel, tourism and hospitality businesses are powered by people. From independent cafés and hotels to visitor attractions and event venues, success relies on teams who deliver consistently high-quality customer experiences.

For many small and medium-sized businesses, attracting and retaining skilled staff remains a challenge. With most UK hospitality businesses operating as SMEs, competition for talent is high and skills gaps can impact service and growth.

Apprenticeships offer a practical, proven solution.

At Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC), we partner with employers across Lancashire to deliver training tailored to the Hospitality and Culinary sectors. We support skills shortages by working in close partnership with local employers to co-design engaging apprenticeship journeys for new and existing staff.

Apprenticeships combine real work with structured training, enabling employees to develop job-ready skills while contributing from day one.

For hospitality and tourism businesses, that impact is immediate. Apprentices support front-of-house service, kitchen operations, events delivery and supervisory roles while building skills that underpin long-term growth.

For SMEs, apprenticeships are a cost-effective way to strengthen your workforce. Government funding can cover most training costs, and flexible delivery ensures learning fits around business demands.

Just as importantly, apprenticeships help invest in your existing team. Upskilling staff improves confidence, boosts retention and creates clear progression pathways—critical in an industry where experience and service quality matter.

In a competitive sector, investing in people is one of the most effective ways to drive growth. Our delivery champions emerging culinary and hospitality talent, developing skills and professional attributes aligned with evolving employer needs.

Our advisers work closely with employers to understand goals, identify skills gaps and match training solutions. From recruitment to completion, we provide ongoing support to ensure apprenticeships deliver value.

Ready to take the next step?

Whether you’re looking to recruit new talent or develop your existing team, get in touch at [email protected]