HIT Training is gearing up to celebrate the second annual HIT Heroes Awards by kicking off the public vote to crown this year’s overall Apprentice of the Year and Employer of the Year.

The HIT Heroes Awards aims to recognise the important role that apprenticeships have to play in empowering people of all ages and walks of life in the hospitality industry. The awards highlight the amazing work of both apprentices and apprenticeship employers across the country and celebrate the individual drive and development of apprentices to become future hospitality leaders.

Apprentices and apprenticeship employers across the country were asked to nominate themselves or others for a prestigious HIT Heroes Award, with our category winners showcasing the diverse range of apprenticeships available within the sector, including Extra Mile Apprentice of the Year, Hospitality Apprentice of the Year, and Best Community Outreach Employer of the Year.

Members of the hospitality are now invited to take part in a vote to choose the all-important award winners – Overall Apprentice of the Year and Employer of the Year.

Jill Whittaker, Managing Director at HIT Training, commented:

“I’m so proud of the incredible work undertaken by both our apprentices and apprenticeship employers this year. Despite these challenging times, our award winners have gone above and beyond, and we’re delighted to not only recognise their hard work, but to also highlight the immense talent developing within the hospitality industry.

“I’d like to wish a huge congratulations to all of our winners so far, and encourage everyone to read their stories and vote for our overall HIT Apprentice and HIT Employer of the Year for 2021.”

HIT Heroes Award Winners 2021

Apprentices:

  • Johnny Daws – Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by GetMyFirstJob
  • Daniel Rox Palomeque – Chef Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Koppert Cress
  • Michael Mercer – Leadership Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Institute of Hospitality
  • Mason Carman – Extra Mile Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Professional Assessment Limited

Apprenticeship Employers:

  • Beyond Food Foundation – Small Employer of the Year – Sponsored by British Institute of Innkeeping
  • The Star at Cotton – Medium Employer of the Year – Sponsored by Flow Learning by Mapal
  • Compass Group UK & Ireland – Large Employer of the Year – Sponsored by Hospitality Jobs UK
  • YHA (England & Wales) – Best Community Outreach Employer of the Year – Sponsored by Professional Assessment Ltd

Voting for this year’s HIT Heroes Awards is now open and will close on Thursday 27th January. You can place your vote by visiting hitheroes.co.uk/hall-of-fame