At Marriott, we believe in nurturing talent and providing pathways for growth. Our apprenticeship program is a testament to this commitment.

Apprenticeships are paid, entry-level job roles giving people at the beginning of their careers practical experience in a certain area, plus a recognised qualification at the end of it. They’re also available to UK associates who already work for Marriott, but are interested in upskilling or taking their careers in a new direction. 

To help showcase the opportunities available through our apprenticeship program, we’re shining a spotlight on our wonderful Marriott apprentices. We sat down with Andy, HR Manager at the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel, to learn about his hospitality career journey.

From Student to Apprentice

At the age of 16, Andy knew the university route wasn’t for him, but he wanted to continue on to college. “I loved football and sports, and I wanted to do something sporty.” He went on to study sport science then started to investigate opportunities for the next step. His family was supportive about the apprenticeship route, with its mix of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, not to mention the ability to earn throughout. 

“I wanted to earn money and I also wanted to learn. It was a no-brainer.”

Andy m.

It’s important to note that apprenticeship applicants in the UK need their Maths and English GCSEs. (Andy had attained these qualifications, but support is available through the apprenticeship providers for applicants who don’t yet have them.) 

How Andy Found Marriott

Andy and his college tutor spent some time browsing apprenticeships online, where they saw a leisure club role advertised with Marriott. Andy applied, and the process from there was smooth and quick. 

“Before I looked into it, I’d only ever heard of trade apprenticeships: brick laying, plumbing, etc. – I didn’t know you could do things like accountancy or human resources. There’s an apprenticeship for everyone.”

Andy m.

He had an initial interview with the HR Manager and Leisure Club Manager, then a second meeting with the apprenticeship providers to talk about qualifications and experience. A week or so later, he received an offer. 

In 2014, at the age of 18, Andy was welcomed to the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel as an apprentice at the hotel’s leisure club. 

Andy’s first apprenticeship was divided up into work and study over a 40-hour week: 

• 8 hours of study
• 32 hours focused on the day-to-day running of the leisure club 

He enjoyed the variety of his days as an apprentice: one day you would be studying anatomy, body types and nutrition, and the next day you could be in the gym shadowing a personal trainer who was putting those topics into practice. Spending that time with seasoned professionals and seeing how they work is a valuable benefit of the apprenticeship route. 

After completing his 18-month stint, Andy got a full-time job offer with the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel. He worked his way through several promotions, and about six years in, he became manager of the leisure club – a role he held for over three years. 

Andy’s Second Apprenticeship and Career Pivot

Andy has always been interested in development, coaching and guiding people, so when an HR Officer role opened at Marriott, he decided to look into a human resources career. As he didn’t yet have an HR qualification, he enrolled as an HR apprentice to make the transition, allowing him to gain the relevant certification while earning. 

After 12 months of online and off-the-job learning, then six months managing a key payroll integration project, he was awarded his Level 5 CIPD in Human Resources Management. 

“Marriott has a great internal development program, which means you can change course if you want to.”

Andy m.

We wanted to know whether Andy’s sports background helps at all with his day to day after his career change to HR, and we got a resounding yes. 

“My sports background helps massively, as it’s all about teamwork! You have to be an effective communicator, otherwise teamwork breaks down. Whether you’re 2 nil down in a football match, or managing a packed hotel on a bank holiday weekend, you have to dig deep as a team to get the best outcome.” 

And the most interesting area in his current role? “Employment law. It’s so important, and it’s ever changing, so you need to stay up to date and get it right.” 

Andy is on the UK Provinces Next Gen Marriott Business Council, a group that focuses on engaging the next generation of Marriott associates across the whole of the United Kingdom. As part of this, he gets to attend apprenticeship shows around the country and seek out the best new talent. With his personal experience, he’s a particularly good sounding board for prospective apprentices. “I’ve been through that route, so I can help and advise others on what it’s really like.” 

Andy’s Advice for Prospective Apprentices

Andy’s apprenticeship journey is a real success story. We asked if he had any advice, either for young people who aren’t sure that higher education is the right choice, or for current Marriott associates who are considering upskilling. 

Here are his top tips: 

• Do your research, so you can understand the pros and cons of university, college or an apprenticeship. 
• Don’t assume you have to get into debt to get a valid qualification. Apprenticeships can get you nationally recognized qualifications while you earn. 
• Understand what you’re trying to achieve, but also understand that it might change. (He had sports as his objective, but now he’s an HR Manager!) 

What’s Next for Andy?

Andy has his sights set on a Level 7 apprenticeship in Human Resources and is looking forward to how many doors the world of HR will open for him. There’s so much to explore: learning and development, payroll and employment law, and he has a particular passion for talent acquisition. 

An Overview of Apprenticeships at Marriott  

If university study isn’t the right path for you, a hospitality apprenticeship could be a good alternative. Apprenticeships are paid roles offering on-the-job experience in a focused area, plus a recognised, vocational qualification. 

In the UK, we offer apprenticeship qualifications from level 2 all the way up to level 7 across all of our departments: everything from hotel operations, to engineering, to golf-greenkeeping, sales, leadership, and more. 

Our apprenticeships in a nutshell: 

• On-the-job experience working in your chosen area 
• At least 6 hours a week of vital learning and study time (webinars, college teaching, training sessions, coaching) 
• Paid, contracted employment 
• Formal assessment leading to a nationally recognized qualification

→ Find Out More About Our UK Apprenticeships 

What can I expect from a Marriott apprenticeship in the UK?

Training, experience, contacts, connections, plus your foot in the door of a global company that can take you exactly where you want to go. 

Our apprentices are paid the same wages as our associates in equivalent job roles, and you’ll get both your work experience and your apprentice qualification while receiving a salary. 

Who is eligible for an apprenticeship?

You can apply for one of our apprenticeships if you’ve left school or if you already work for Marriott and want to hone your skills in a certain area. There’s no age limit for completing an apprenticeship with us, so it’s never too late to learn something new.

What types of apprenticeship do you offer?

Apprenticeships come in various levels. At Marriott UK we offer: 

• Level 2: Equivalent to 5 GCSEs 
• Level 3: Equivalent to 2 A Levels 
• Level 4: Equivalent to a Diploma 
• Level 5: Equivalent to a Foundation Degree 
• Level 6: Equivalent to a Degree 
• Level 7: Equivalent to a Master’s Degree 

Qualifications are available in all departments, so there are tons of possibilities waiting for new applicants, from aspiring commis chefs and food and beverage associates, to budding commercial procurement pros, or, like Andy, HR managers! 

Find out about our other options for early careers, such as internships and our Voyager graduate program. 

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.