Umbrella Training’s Lime Wood Hotel apprentice invited to National Apprenticeship Week showcase at House of Commons

A HOSPITALITY apprentice from Lyndhurst was among the best and brightest in the country to be invited to the House of Commons to mark National Apprenticeship Week.

Russell Johnson was one of nine recognised for his “outstanding achievements” after excelling in his apprenticeship at Lime Wood Hotel in Beaulieu Road.

He was among more than 300 people from the hospitality sector who came together at Parliament for the eighth hospitality apprenticeship showcase.

The showcase brings together apprentices from leading hospitality companies to meet MPs and ministers and discuss the future of the industry and showcase the careers available through apprenticeships.

Russell, who lives and works in Lyndhurst, completed his hospitality supervisor level-three apprenticeship at Lime Wood as part of Umbrella Training’s alumni. He was named the best level-three apprentice at the Purple Umbrella Awards 2023.

Russell said: “I am honoured to be Umbrella Training’s outstanding apprentice and to have represented Lime Wood at the hospitality apprenticeship showcase.

“I was looking for a challenge and so embarked on an apprenticeship, and it has surpassed all my expectations – I could not recommend it highly enough.

“The industry is constantly evolving which is really exciting to be a part of.”

Alun Cairns MP, who chairs the all-party parliamentary beer group and hosts the event, said: “The annual hospitality apprenticeship showcase exemplifies the hospitality industry at its best.

“Each year we are so impressed by the diverse range of roles showcased by the apprentices and the variety of professional development opportunities available to these individuals.

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic route into the work market for those that thrive in a hands-on learning environment and the hospitality industry is at the forefront of apprenticeship developments with innumerable opportunities.”

The showcase welcomed apprentices from AB InBev, British Institute of Innkeeping, British Beer and Pub Association, Beds & Bars Ltd, Fuller, Smith and Turner, Greene King PLC, HIT Training, Lifetime Training, Marston’s PLC, Mitchells and Butlers PLC, Nando’s, Stonegate Group, UK Hospitality and Umbrella Training.