Location: England – National across Premier Inn Hotels and Restaurants
Your Time to Rise & Shine at the Home of Hospitality
We know that care experienced young people may face more challenges than others when it comes to finding the right job, gaining experience, or building confidence. At Premier Inn, we’re proud of our no barriers to entry, no limits to ambition ethos and our friendly, warm and welcoming approach.
We may be the biggest hotel operator in the UK, but it’s our inclusive culture and supportive teams that really set us apart. It is really important to us to make sure that anyone can get on here and build their career in whatever way suits them.
So, whether you’re looking to build skills and confidence through work experience, get your first job, or earn a proper wage while developing your career with an apprenticeship, we want to support you every step of the way. We want you to be part of our journey and we want to be part of yours.
Quick Summary
- Who’s it for?
Care experienced young people - What’s available?
- Work Experience from age 14+
- Paid Employment from age 16+
- Apprenticeships (Level 2 to Level 5) from age 16+
- Where?
Nationally across England – in Premier Inn Hotels and Restaurants - Pay & Support
- Fair wages for all roles — we don’t pay an apprenticeship wage
- £2 meals while working
- £3,000 apprenticeship bursaries
- Wellbeing, training, and career development support
Our Approach
We understand that starting a new job or work experience can be a nervous time and it’s normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed. That’s why we make sure you’ll never be left to figure it out alone.
From day one, you’ll receive a structured and supportive induction, with a clear plan that combines both online and practical learning. Whether you’re with us for work experience or stepping into paid employment, you’ll always know what you’re focusing on and what’s expected of you.
You’ll also be assigned a buddy – someone who is experienced in the site. They will be there to answer your questions, show you the ropes, and help you settle in. They’ll guide you step-by-step, helping you build your skills, confidence, and knowledge at your own pace.
Along the way, there’ll be some online learning to complete, and your manager will observe you completing certain tasks. Once you and your buddy feel confident that you’re ready, you’ll begin working independently, but still with ongoing support whenever you need it.
Even if you’re just with us for a short time, like a 10-day work experience placement, we’ll make sure it’s a valuable, meaningful experience and you feel supported from start to finish.
Why Work Experience is Important
This isn’t just about trying a job. A work experience placement at Premier Inn is a real opportunity to:
- Build confidence
- Learn practical skills
- Explore your interests
- Meet new people
- Work as part of a team
- Improve your CV
And who knows? It might even lead to a part-time job, apprenticeship, or long-term career with us.
Join Our Team – Premier Inn & Restaurant Roles
For some roles our pay rates vary by location and may be slightly more than this, but you won’t be paid any less.
Premier Inn Roles:
- Housekeeping Team Member – from £12.26/hr
- Ground Floor Team Member – from £12.26/hr
- Kitchen Team Member – from £12.26/hr
Restaurant Roles:
- Front of House Team Member – Under 21: from £10.25/hr | 21+: from £12.26/hr
- Kitchen Team Member – Under 21: from £10.25/hr | 21+: from £12.26/hr
- Grill Chef – from £13.51/hr
Shift Patterns: Between 7am–11pm, Monday to Sunday
Skill Progression: For all roles in our hotels and some roles in our restaurants we have a skill progression framework where you can increase your pay by developing new skills and completing additional training.
Apprenticeships – Earn While You Learn
If you join us in any role in our hotels and restaurants, you’ll have the option of completing an apprenticeship. Just let your manager know you’re interested, and they’ll help you decide which is the right one for you.
Available Qualifications:
- Food and Beverage Team Member – Level 2
- Production Chef – Level 2
- Hospitality Accommodation – Level 2
- Progression routes available to Levels 3, 4 & 5
Apprenticeship Highlights:
- Same pay as everyone else – we don’t pay our apprentices a lower wage.
- Earn while you learn on the job – no need to attend college, learning coaches come to observe you at work and support with your online learning modules.
- Delivered by Lifetime Training – the UK’s leading hospitality apprenticeship provider.
- Student discount card – enjoy savings on shopping, entertainment and travel.
- Up to £3,000 bursary depending on your background.
Work Experience
Our 10-day work experience placements are flexible and supportive:
- Choose to experience multiple departments or focus on one area.
- Complete over a time that suits you, this could be 2 weeks full-time or 1 day per week over 10 weeks – the choice is yours.
- Open to anyone from age 14+.
- You’ll get a welcome pack, support buddy, diary, and clear schedule.
- Feedback and time for reflection included at the end.
Hear from Warren:
“I’d never stayed in a hotel before, so I didn’t know much about Premier Inn. But during my work experience, I got to try every role, from the restaurant to the hotel. I really enjoyed the maintenance role in the restaurant and hotel – you spend a lot of time fixing things, and I like that. So, getting a job doing that is great! The management team have been really good at helping me with my training and pointing me in the right direction.”
Warren Work Experience Reflections.
Warren – Care experienced young person, Housekeeping / Maintenance Team Member and Hospitality Accommodation Level 2 apprentice.
What Happens After Work Experience?
At the end of your placement, you’ll take away:
- A completed Reflection Diary
- End of Experience Review from your manager
- A conversation about next steps:
- Want a part-time job?
- Ready for an apprenticeship?
- Not sure? We’ll guide you through the options
Why choose Premier Inn
- Friendly induction and welcome chat.
- Inclusive and supportive culture.
- A dedicated buddy during work experience and when you start a job with us
- Clear training plans.
- Options to develop through our apprenticeships and learning pathways.
- Financial support including:
- £3,000 apprenticeship bursaries
- £2 meals while working
- Arriva Bus Travel Club
- Wellbeing and mental health support via Hospitality Action.
- Whitbread Privilege Card – exclusively for Whitbread employees, offering fantastic discounts across our hotels and restaurants.
How to Get Involved
Apply for a Job
- Go to: Search and Apply | Whitbread Careers
- Find a job you are interested in and apply by completing an application form online.
- When asked if you are care experienced please select ‘yes’. This information is treated as confidential and not shared with hotels or restaurants.
- If you have any questions about your application, you can email us at: whitbread.careers@whitbread.com.
- Let us know what role you applied for and that you found the opportunity through the Care Leaver Covenant. This information will be treated as confidential and not shared with hotels or restaurants.
Ask for Work Experience
- Email: workexperience@whitbread.com
Include:- Your preferred location(s)
- Whether you are looking for experience in a hotel or restaurant or both
- What roles/departments you’re interested in
- Preferred dates
- Mention you heard about our work experience programme through the Care Leaver Covenant – This information will be treated as confidential and not shared with hotels or restaurants
- We’ll connect with the hotel/restaurant manager to arrange your placement.
- You’ll hear from the local team directly.
We will be here to support you with any job applications you make and to ensure you are able to access work experience.
Important Information
When applying for our jobs, you’ll need to provide proof of your right to work in the UK. This could be:
- A valid passport or share code
- OR a birth certificate + National Insurance information
Follow Us and Stay Connected
Hear stories from our team and learn more on our social channels:
Early Talent Home | Whitbread Careers
