Catering & Hospitality Apprentice – Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK

Woodpeckercourt; Lower Eythorne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused café in Lower Eythorne is seeking an apprentice to earn a Level 2 Food and Beverage qualification. You will gain hands-on experience while serving customers, preparing food, and maintaining hygiene standards. This role offers an opportunity to engage with the community and participate in various events. Ideal candidates will have a GCSE in Mathematics and customer care skills, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.

Benefits

Hands-on experience

Opportunity to support community events

Qualifications

• GCSE in Mathematics (grade 4/C) is required.
• Share other relevant qualifications or industry experience.
• Apprenticeship can be adjusted based on existing knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Greet and serve customers at the community café.
• Prepare and serve hot and cold drinks and snacks.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and food safety.
• Handle payments and operate the till.
• Support community events hosted in the café.

Skills

Customer care skills

Creative

Initiative

Friendly and approachable

Reliable and committed

Community spirit

Education

GCSE in Mathematics (grade 4/C)

Job description

Earn a Level 2 Food and Beverage qualification while gaining hands‑on experience in a friendly, inclusive environment. Our café is a welcoming hub, offering affordable quality food and drink and a space for people to connect. The perfect opportunity to learn hospitality skills and make a positive impact in your local community.

Wage – £11,778 for the first year, with potential increases depending on your age. National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices applies.

Hours – Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:30 am to 4:45 pm; Tuesday 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. Total 30 hours a week.

Duration – 1 year, starting Monday 23 February 2026.

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands‑on experience.

What you’ll do at work

• Greet and serve customers at the community café with warmth and professionalism.
• Prepare and serve hot and cold drinks, light meals and snacks.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and food safety in line with regulations.
• Assist with stock rotation and food preparation.
• Keep the café clean and welcoming, including tables, counters and kitchen areas.
• Support community events and activities hosted in the café.
• Handle payments and operate the till (training provided).
• Cash up and down at the beginning and end of shifts.
• Update menu boards and prices as required.

Where you’ll work

45 Wigmore Lane
Eythorne
Dover
CT15 4BF

Training

• Serve food and beverages to business standards.
• Identify opportunities and apply techniques to increase sales and improve customer experience.
• Tailor communication techniques to meet customer needs and build rapport.
• Maintain a safe, hygienic and secure working environment.
• Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures.
• Follow food safety and allergen legislation and procedures applicable to own role.
• Use technology and equipment in line with business policy to meet customer needs.
• Handle transactions and payments securely.
• Work as part of a team to ensure products and services are delivered on time and in line with business needs.
• Deal with or elevate issues that impact service and customer experience, and implement instructions from a supervisor.
• Use professional communication methods tailored to different situations and to individual and team needs.
• Manage own time and workload, prioritising tasks.
• Maintain and rotate stock according to lifecycle and business processes.
• Report equipment and technology faults and maintenance issues promptly.
• Check customers are satisfied with products and services through questioning and act on feedback in line with business procedures.
• Keep up to date with changes to products and processes.
• Use feedback to improve own performance.
• Reduce waste of resources, taking sustainability into account, in line with business expectations.
• Follows and supports equity, diversity and inclusion legislation and principles.
• Participate in team briefings, implementing instructions and offering input or feedback where relevant.

You will be working in Woodpecker Court's café, which is at the heart of the local community.

On‑the‑job work and guidance from experienced staff.

Fortnightly Zoom sessions with your training provider, facilitated on site.

Opportunities to support community‑focused events.

Requirements

• GCSE in Mathematics (grade 4/C). Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Customer care skills
• Creative
• Initiative
• Friendly and approachable
• Reliable and committed
• Community spirit

Other requirements

• Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Comfortable working with young people with SEND

About this employer

Woodpecker Court is an alternative education provider with specialist post‑16 status set in a rural location. Within the educational provision and alongside our sister company Woodpecker Wood CIC we run a community café accessed by our students and members of the community, used for community projects.

Opportunities to progress into a hospitality career.

Contact: EGLANTINE CATERING LIMITED

Reference code: VAC2000005361.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Friday 23 January 2026 at 11:59pm)