A GRADUATE from Darlington, who works for catering specialist Scolarest, is hoping to come top of the class after embarking on a graduate apprenticeship.

Nicholas Byrne, 22, is studying at Oxford Brookes University for the first qualification of its kind in the UK.

Mr Byrne will take part in workshops and vocational training over the next year.

Designed by Scolarest's parent company, Compass Group, and the university, the course aims to ensure graduates can work in the hospitality industry even if their degrees are not directly relevant.

Mary Noble, divisional training manager for the Compass Group, said: "We recruit our people based on core competency. So if we are approached by a talented graduate who displays all the qualities we are looking for, but they do not have a hospitality degree, we are willing to give them a go."

Mr Byrne started working for Scolarest in 2002 after graduating from the University of Hull with a degree in accountancy.

At the end of the apprenticeship, he will gain a qualification that matches the requirements of a hospitality degree.

Ms Noble said: "The nature of the hospitality industry can make it hard for employers to fit formal study time into the work schedule.

"This course offers graduates like Nicholas a flexible learning programme, where they can extend their expertise at the same time as experiencing the working environment."