Hospitality Apprentice

Speaker's Apprenticeship Academy offers a Hospitality Apprentice role within the Speaker's Office, part of the Academy’s third year. The apprenticeship is a fixed‑term, two‑year training program that provides hands‑on experience working in UK Parliament’s House Service. Application is open to candidates aged 18 or older and not currently in full‑time education.

Responsibilities

• Support the Speaker's Office in delivering a high‑quality hospitality and events service within the historic State Rooms of the Palace of Westminster.
• Welcome guests, prepare and serve refreshments, and support the delivery of a wide range of meetings, visits and events, including formal banqueting occasions.
• Assist with event planning, logistics and administration, helping to ensure activities run smoothly and to the highest standards of professionalism and protocol.
• Help maintain the presentation of the State Rooms and contribute to providing an exceptional experience for guests, acting as an ambassador for the Speaker's Office and the wider House Service.
• Work on‑site and occasionally support events and official functions late in the evening.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 18 years by the end of the summer holidays.
• No prior qualification in the same or a similar apprenticeship is required; a degree in an unrelated subject or no degree is acceptable.
• If you already hold a degree or qualification in a similar subject, contact the Apprenticeships Team for eligibility.
• For learners aged 18, pass Level 2 Functional Skills exams in English and Maths, or possess a grade C/4 or above in these subjects.
• Passion for hospitality, ability to perform under pressure and deliver excellent customer service.
• Strong communication skills – written and verbal – and willingness to adapt for different audiences.
• Basic experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Teams) and a willingness to develop digital skills.
• Organisation, adherence to agreed processes, and ability to seek help when unsure.
• Understanding of confidentiality when handling information.

Benefits

• Competitive salary for an apprenticeship.
• Annual leave of 30 days, increasing to 35 days after one full working year.
• Enrolment in the Civil Service pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%.
• Flexible working options, including enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave, caring leave and alternative working patterns.