Compass Cymru Partners With Bridgend College To Offer Hospitality Management Training In Wales

5 people talking together at Bridgend College Compass Cymru, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, the UK's largest food and support services firm, has partnered with Bridgend College to offer a new Management Academy, delivering hospitality apprenticeship and career development opportunities in Wales.

Bridgend College, an award-winning provider of further education and training, will work with Compass Cymru to provide tailored leadership opportunities at all levels of the organisation, through both management apprenticeships and non-apprenticeship management training.

The management academy apprenticeships are designed to develop practical skills and experience for new and existing managers in Levels 2-7. They cover a Level 2 CMI Foundation Apprenticeship in Team Leading, through to a Level 4 CMI Diploma in Management & Leadership VRQ and a Level 7 CMI Award or Certificate in Strategic Management & Leadership.

The non-apprenticeship management programme also includes Levels 2-7 in qualifications around team leading, management and leadership, and strategic management and leadership.

Jane Byrd, Managing Director of Compass Cymru, said: “We are committed to our people and to creating a structured career pathway for learning and development. By implementing partnerships like this Management Academy with Bridgend College, we provide our colleagues with best in class opportunities and support the growth of the hospitality and catering industry in Wales.

“Management training also supports overall change and diversity in the industry as these programmes teach learners about inclusion, sustainability and technological innovation.”

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Matt Williams, Executive Director of Work Based Learning at Bridgend College, said: “The plans Compass Cymru has for their new Management Academy are forward thinking and extremely positive for their staff and the hospitality industry here in Wales, and we will work with them to ensure that their people are developing in their various areas of work.

“We are passionate about enhancing leadership skills and believe that truly extraordinary organisations demonstrate distributed leadership, with great leaders operating at all levels of their business - so we’re looking forward to working with Compass Cymru to help their people thrive even more.”

Launched as a distinct business in April 2021, Compass Cymru is part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, the UK's largest food and support services firm.

Bridgend College is the highest ranked UK FE College in the Times 100 Best not for profit companies, won the Beacon Award for Leadership & Governance, and was praised by Estyn for its inspiring leadership. It was also recently named in the top 50 most inclusive companies to work for in the UK for 2021/22.

In March 2021, Compass revealed its Opportunity Action Plan - ‘Essential Career Path Guarantee’ - the culmination of months of work with the Social Mobility Pledge to enhance opportunities for all. Compass has also revealed its plans to create the Compass Academy - a multi-million Pound investment designed to develop much needed skills in the hospitality industry, with a focus on supporting young people from disadvantaged areas.