28th March 2023, by Parkdean Resorts

Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, is continuing its work in supporting people into the hospitality sector with an exciting new development.

Paul Stevenson, Apprenticeships Principal at Parkdean Resorts, has been voted as the Chair of the Hospitality Manager Group at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, a government body responsible for designing the apprenticeships standard for the hospitality sector, as well as improving access to high quality apprenticeships and technical education in order to transform the skills landscape. Having been with the holiday park operator for five years, Paul has 12 years of experience working in the hospitality apprenticeship industry, and is responsible for ensuring qualifications are delivered in accordance with the OFSTED quality framework, preparing apprentices for End Point Assessment, and ensuring they are fully supported throughout their programme of learning.

In his new role, Paul will have the opportunity to use his knowledge, skills and experience to develop robust standards that will help all potential and current managers within hospitality to progress and develop their careers, in turn ensuring Parkdean Resorts is ahead of the game and playing an instrumental role in developing standards within the holiday park sector.

Paul Stevenson, Apprenticeship Principal at Parkdean Resorts

As Chair of the Hospitality Manager Group, Paul will be leading representatives from 60 hospitality businesses, with Parkdean Resorts being the only holiday park operator represented, in reviewing and improving standards and liaising with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to ensure these standards are met. In addition to his role as Chair of the Hospitality Manager Group, Paul has also been appointed Chair of the Senior Production Chef Standards Group.

This comes as recent research has shown that participating in an apprenticeship has had a positive impact on people’s careers, with nearly 4 in 5 (83%) of apprentices surveyed saying they would recommend doing an apprenticeship to others, while 71% of those surveyed who have studied or are currently studying an apprenticeship say the experience has enabled them to pursue their dream career.

Speaking about his new role, Paul said: “Having spent over 40 years working in the hospitality sector I’m delighted to be able to use my knowledge and experience to help guide and shape the standards for those progressing in their careers. At Parkdean Resorts, we’re committed to nurturing talent and giving our teams opportunities to learn and develop, and I’m excited to bring all of this experience to my new role to help raise standards across the whole hospitality sector, not just at holiday parks.”

Lisa Charles-Jones, HR Director, Parkdean Resorts, said: “We’re thrilled that Paul has been appointed to this influential position. His knowledge will go a long way in ensuring the highest standards are met for these programmes and trainees will get the most out of their education, and we’re thrilled to be playing a part in setting standards nationally across the hospitality sector. Parkdean Resorts is dedicated to training and developing its people, so to be playing a role in shaping the guidelines nationally is extremely exciting.”

Parkdean Resorts is an OFSTED-accredited employer, and one of 200 Employer-Providers in England and the only Employer-Provider in the Holiday Park sector, providing qualifications ranging from Level 2 to Level 5, the equivalent of a Foundation Degree, to hundreds of employees every year.