The topping on Aaron’s pizza ...a degree as he earns a crust
AARoN oRESCHNICK is beginning a new career in the hospitality industry after he had to drop out of university because of illness.
The 31- year- old was studying music at the University of Leeds, but couldn’t complete his studies after a nasty bout of glandular fever in his second year. He later moved to Edinburgh to study art, but disaster struck again — a car accident meant he had to leave his studies before completion.
Mr oreschnick, from Eccles, Greater Manchester, is now one of the first candidates to join Pizza Hut Restaurants’ degree-level apprenticeship programme — the first of its kind in the industry.
The four-year programme, which started in September, is delivered in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.
It offers the chance to study for a BA (Hons) Business Management degree while receiving on-the-job training with the restaurant chain. Successful apprentices will also receive a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Diploma in Leadership and Management and full CMI Chartered Manager status.
Mr oreschnick, who is deputy manager at a restaurant in Manchester’s Trafford Centre, says: ‘The course provides the best of both worlds. It’s great to have the opportunity to return to education and study for a degree that will benefit my job and future.
‘I’ve always wanted to run and own my own restaurant — now, I’ll be able to learn the management skills and enhance my technical skills at the same time.’
He adds: ‘At the moment, my background is very much in hospitality, so it will be great to experience the wider world of business through the different modules and meeting people from different sectors.’
As well as the degree-level programme, Pizza Hut Restaurants has committed to providing 1,500 new apprenticeships over the next five years across a wide range of levels — from Intermediate right through to degree level.
Kathryn Austin, HR and marketing director, adds: ‘The great thing about the scheme is that it gives people the opportunity to mix academic and practical modules, providing not just a fantastic skills base in the hospitality industry, but also skills for life.’