What: The John Lewis Partnership has become the first retailer to launch its own Chef Academy to help address the current shortage of qualified chefs in the UK.

Why it is important: A joint survey released last week by UK Hospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping, revealed that staff shortages in the hospitality industry are reaching critical levels. The survey found that 76% of operators within the sector currently have chef vacancies.

The Partnership will be taking on up to ten apprentices this year with the potential to increase that number in the future as part of a long-term commitment to support the hospitality industry. They will spend a year learning and working in the kitchens of the Partnership’s head offices and hotels.

John Lewis launches a chef academy