The first T-level courses are being rolled out from 2020 in a bid to simplify technical learning and home in on necessary skills within businesses, however differing levels of 'technical knowledge' have split hospitality and catering down the middle.

Businesses have not been as involved in education and training as needed in recent past according to Education Secretary, Damian Hinds.

Big reform is planned in the form of T-levels, or technical training for post-16 study, alongside the two other main routes of apprenticeship and A-level study.

In 2017 the government-initiated employer-based consultation to develop the new qualifications. Hospitality and catering were included in the programme range, however the roll out was delayed until 2021. Despite this planned change, there has been a recent decision not to introduce a hospitality T-level and only a catering route.

The Department for Education stated in February 2018, "The technical occupations in hospitality have been identified as suitable for learning via apprenticeships only, so Government does not intend to launch T-levels for these. Occupations which require little or no technical knowledge and skill, fall outside of the scope of technical education".

This attitude may surprise many within the industry, who see a requirement for a great deal of technical knowledge in hospitality as teams and managers run up budgets, organise planning and coordination, implement customer service mechanisms and manage a diverse workforce.

Government figures have shown that the majority of 17-year-olds in England in 2016 were not studying A-levels and therefore alternative routes to employment need to be explored. T-levels will have more teaching time than current technical programmes and will include a compulsory work placement.

These changes follow the recent addition of an apprenticeship levy which shows the government's focus is shifting to more technical and skill-based learning in the workplace. However, years of cuts in the sector have raised some scepticism as to how the new qualifications will impact and if they will in fact add value, or if the shakeup is just an attempt by Mrs May's cabinet to show willing.