Common misconceptions are turning young people away from a career in the hospitality industry.

Norwich Evening News: Norwich City College hospitality students takeover the Holiday Inn. Students, left to right, Eddie Kupec, Elliot Lemmon and William Overton.Picture: ANTONY KELLYNorwich City College hospitality students takeover the Holiday Inn. Students, left to right, Eddie Kupec, Elliot Lemmon and William Overton.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

That is the finding of a survey by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) of 1,000 people aged 16 to 21, which found two fifths believed a role in hospitality involved changing beds.

Almost a third (26pc) believed it was not a career you would enter into after obtaining a degree.

The research coincides with IHG's national student hotel takeover, which began in Norwich's Holiday Inns, where 1000 hospitality students are taking over the running of 30 hotels across the country.

On the eve of National Apprenticeships week, the event aims to give students on the job insight into the industry.

This year 230 students from City College Norwich took part in the initiative.

Sophie Worledge, 17, from Norwich, is completing a Hospitality and Catering Diploma, Level 3, and this week she is taking on the role of reception manager.

She said: 'I'd love to work in a hotel chain like Holiday Inn as there are great job opportunities and training that can really build up your skills.

'You have to be the right type of person to go into hospitality.

'You have to have the spark, to want to make a better business, to want to talk to people, to make hospitality good for everyone and give people great experiences. Hospitality is mainly about people at the heart of the business.'

Her coursemate Amy Sorrell, 18, from Sprowston is taking over the role of general manager.

She said: 'I would get bored easily if I did a normal office job because it's quite repetitive.

'In hospitality you get the unexpected happen and you have to work out 'what do I do now?'. I like a challenge.'

Also on reception is Sophie Ralph, 19, a Level 3 Hospitality Supervision student.

She said: 'When I was at school I did work experience in a hotel, where I got to do a little bit of everything, working in the restaurant, on reception and in housekeeping. It made me realise that I wanted to work in a front of house role, restaurant or reception. After college I am going to America for the summer to work in an exclusive country club.

The best thing about working in hospitality is meeting new people each day.'