This episode explores why hospitality continues to lose people, skills and funding — and what can actually be done about it. Timothy R Andrews is joined by Vicky Glover, Founder of Appetite 4 Apprenticeships, for a clear, practical conversation about apprenticeships, retention and the realities facing hospitality employers.

Vicky explains how the apprenticeship levy works, why billions of pounds go unused every year, and how large organisations can legally gift funding to SMEs that desperately need training support. The discussion covers why 43% of hospitality workers leave within their first three months, how poor onboarding damages the industry’s reputation, and why apprenticeships are often misunderstood or badly implemented.

The episode also looks at social mobility, diversity and long-term career progression — challenging the idea that apprenticeships are only for entry-level roles. From sole traders to multi-site operators, this conversation breaks down how apprenticeships can be used to retain people, reduce costs, and build stronger teams when budgets are under pressure.

This is a practical episode for owners, operators and leaders who want their people to stay — but aren’t sure where to start.

In this episode, we discuss:

1. Why £3.3bn in apprenticeship funding goes back to government unused
2. How the apprenticeship levy actually works
3. Why 43% of hospitality workers leave within three months
4. Apprenticeships as a retention and engagement tool
5. Gifting levy funding from large businesses to SMEs
6. Choosing the right training provider for your operation
7. Apprenticeships for existing staff, not just new starters
8. Cost savings, National Insurance relief and funding benefits
9. Social mobility and widening access to hospitality careers
10. Why onboarding is as important as guest experience

Takeaways:

1. Hospitality is losing people early — and fast
2. 43% of workers leave within three months, often due to poor onboarding and lack of development.
3. Billions in training funding go unused
4. Apprenticeship levy money expires if it isn’t spent — and most businesses don’t realise it.
5. Apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers
6. They work for supervisors, managers and existing team members at every level.
7. SMEs can access levy funding they don’t pay into
8. Large organisations can gift unused levy to smaller operators.
9. Retention improves when people feel invested in
10. Apprenticeships create structure, progression and loyalty.
11. Hospitality needs to sell itself better
12. The industry offers real careers, but fails the “parent test” far too often.

Organisations & Links Mentioned

1. UKs Largest Hospitality Survey 2025 (https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/hospitality/form/resources/salary-survey/)
2. Appetite 4 Apprenticeships (https://www.appetite4recruitment.co.uk/apprenticeships/)
3. Hospitality Jobs UK (https://www.hospitalityjobsuk.com/)
4. Graphic Kitchen (https://graphickitchen.co.uk/)
5. Only A Pavement Away (https://onlyapavementaway.co.uk/)
6. Rio Ferdinand Foundation (https://www.rioferdinandfoundation.com/)
7. Crisis (https://www.crisis.org.uk/)
8. Marstons (https://www.marstonspubs.co.uk/)
9. HMRC (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs)
People

1. Timothy R Andrews (https://www.talkinghospitality.com/people/timothy-r-andrews/)
2. Vicky Glover (https://www.talkinghospitality.com/guests/vicky-glover/)
3. Tracey Rashid (https://www.talkinghospitality.com/people/tracey-rashid/)
4. Joe McDonnell (https://www.talkinghospitality.com/people/joe-mcdonnell-mih/)
5. Dawn Lawrence (https://www.talkinghospitality.com/guests/dr-dawn-lawrence-cbi/)
6. Paul Fellows (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulfellowspmf/)
7. Nick Clover (https://www.talkinghospitality.com/guests/nick-clover/)

Hosts:

1. Timothy R Andrews
2. Tracey Rashid
3. Joe McDonnell

Guest:

1. Vicky Glover – Founder, Appetite for Apprenticeships

hospitality apprenticeships, apprenticeship levy hospitality, hospitality staff retention, hospitality training funding, apprenticeships SMEs hospitality, hospitality onboarding, hospitality careers, Talking Hospitality podcast