Spirit Pub Company, who announced a 16% increase in profit before tax in their financial results on Tuesday, makes a major commitment to apprentices and training, and currently has over 500 apprentices on five apprenticeship qualifications with an aim to increase this to 800 over the current financial year – an apprentice in every pub.
The Apprenticeship Programme was created to provide a clear career pathway for those working in the hospitality sector and offer an alternative to university for those keen to progress through a vocational route. With an 80% retention rate for apprentices at Spirit, it clearly works well for both employer and employee.
This year, more than 45 team players were invited to an award ceremony and celebratory lunch to recognise their success in the company’s Apprenticeship qualification, to receive their certificates, and to be thanked for their hard work and success by Spirit’s HR director, Debbie Moore.
Among the group was Jessica Maynard, 21, who is a rising star at Flaming Grill pub the Whitehills in Northampton after completing her Level 2 Apprenticeship in Food & Beverage and moving up the career path to a deputy general manager position.
Debbie Moore, HR director for Spirit, said:
“We are proud to recognise our team members that have undertaken apprenticeships. We want to build a reputation of the hospitality industry being a place where people can build a career. Apprenticeships and further qualifications allow our team to progress through the organisation in a structured and supportive manner and at a pace to suit their ambition and goals.”
Charnwood Training Group managing partner Jeremy Scorer, who support Spirit’s Apprenticeship Scheme, said:
“Hats off to all the apprentices involved in this programme. At Charnwood, we believe it’s really important to celebrate achievement as it presents a positive message to all involved, so I’m delighted to be here to congratulate these apprentices in person. Our partnership with Spirit is going from strength to strength so I look forward to attending many more of these Celebration of Success events.”