JD Wetherspoon to create 1,000 jobs for under-18s

Managed pub chain JD Wetherspoon says it plans to create 1,000 new jobs for school leavers in the coming year.

The group, which employs more than 21,000 staff across the UK, said the posts were aimed at 16 and 17 year-olds who were looking to join the country's workforce for the first time.

The newcomers, who according to a Wetherspoon spokesman would be paid above the current minimum wage of £3.40 an hour, will be offered positions working front-of-house - serving customers coffee and food, tidying tables, etc - as well as in the pubs' kitchens, the group said.

Since they will be under 18 they won't be allowed to serve behind the bar at any of Wetherspoon's near-800 pubs.

Opportunities will also be offered to the youngsters to study for NVQ qualifications with the option of completing a professional diploma and honours degree if they progress to a management position.

Mandy Ferries, Wetherspoons' head of personnel and training, said: "We believe that many school leavers will welcome the opportunity to work for Wetherspoon.

"We can offer them the chance to study as part of their work as well as progress within the company."

Wetherspoons is understood to employ around 200 under-18 staff at present.