Pictured: (l-r) Kyle Roberts, Lord Mayor Councillor Anita Ward, Gill Barton, chair GB Training and Kamarah Disley

Birmingham's Lord Mayor enjoyed a taste of hospitality thanks to a group successful apprentices who secured jobs following their hands-on training.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Anita Ward, met sixteen former apprentices who have recently completed their training in hospitality. Fourteen have gone on to successfully find employment.

Councillor Ward's visit, just ahead of next month's National Apprenticeship Week, highlighted the benefits of apprenticeships where school leavers can earn while they learn and secure jobs. 

The Lord Mayor presented certificates to the apprentices who spent a year with Birmingham-based GB Training on NVQ level 2 Hospitality courses.

Fourteen apprentices have got jobs across the city at venues including The Mailbox, The Crown Plaza as well as The Nightingale, The Penthouse and The Loft Lounge, in the city's vibrant Southside.  

One has gone on to study a law degree and another who qualified is still deciding about her career options.

Kyle Roberts, aged 18, from Kings Norton, who now works at The Loft Lounge said: "I got onto this course after doing my A levels. I am so pleased to have got a job at the end of it and it is one with plenty of options for the future."

Fellow former apprentice Kamarah Disley, also 18, from Erdington added: "The best thing for me is getting good training while in work has given me lots of confidence which you really need in this type of work."  

Councillor Ward said; "I started my career in the hospitality so I am pleased to see there are good qualifications for young people setting out in this industry." 

Gill Barton, GB Training chair, added: "As a leading training provider in the city we really believe in the importance of providing Birmingham's next generation with the right skills which will enable them to play a valuable part in the future growth and economic vibrancy of our city. 

"We are very proud of our apprentices who got genuine work experience combined with excellent training, which I know will stand them in good stead for employment opportunities now and in their future careers. Looking ahead we are now recruiting for 16-18-year-olds for Ikea and the NEC group for hospitality apprentices and for IT repair professional apprentices for the Birmingham-based IT company Got IT Covered."