London mayor, Boris Johnson, is supporting the British Hospitality Association in its pledge to create 7,000 new apprenticeship positions in the catering industry by the end of 2016.

The initiative was launched on 3 March at the Premier Inn in Leicester Square, where Johnson helped some apprentices serve breakfast to hotel guests.

Johnson said that London’s international appeal as a tourist destination makes hospitality one of the city’s boom industries. “The hospitality industry is forecast to grow by over 16 per cent by 2020, which will mean a huge demand for a skilled and loyal workforce,” he said.

Ufi Ibrahim, CEO of the British Hospitality Association, said: “Support from our mayor will be instrumental in achieving our ambitions to create 7,000 apprenticeships for 16 to 24-year-olds by the end of 2016 and showcasing the exciting, meaningful and rewarding careers which can be built in the hospitality industry.”

Managing director of Whitbread Hotels, Patrick Dempsey, says his company will be creating 2,000 new apprenticeships and 8,000 jobs, half of which will come from the long term unemployed and 16- to 24-year-old age bracket.

“The support of Boris Johnson at the start of the National Apprenticeship Week can only add to the profile we are giving the Big Hospitality Conversation and we welcome his support,” said Dempsey.