A spoonful of progression for bar staff

Wetherspoon barPUB chain JD Wetherspoon is investing in its people with a range of apprenticeships.

Designed to boost staff development and retention – as well as offer more opportunities to potential recruits – the firm is offering its employees a broad selection of apprenticeships, such as hospitality team member and a degree apprenticeship in business management.

Over 650 Wetherspoon staff are currently undertaking an apprenticeship, which lasts between 12 and 18 months and is achieved alongside working in their outlets, with the company and almost 200 employees already completing their training.

Those undertaking the scheme are trained in important skills relating to working within the sector, including customer service and effective communication.

Additionally, more than 600 Wetherspoon employees have accomplished a functional skill aim in maths or English in the past 12 months.

Katy Wade, Wetherspoon’s senior recruitment and qualifications manager, said as the hospitality industry becomes increasingly competitive the pub chain “believe it is vital that we offer potential recruits the best opportunities”.

She added: “Hospitality is a fantastic industry that offers individuals not just a part-time job but real career prospects.

“With the introduction of our degree apprenticeship in business management there is now a clear pathway for young people to choose as an alternative to university.

“Apprenticeships are an excellent way to combine study and work and we look forward to recruiting more apprentices who we believe will go on to enjoy great success in their career at Wetherspoon.”