Pubwatch encourages BII to come to meetings to promote apprenticeships

09-Sep-2012 - Last updated on 11-Mar-2017 at 22:13 GMT

Pubwatch assistant secretary Frank Marnell has called for the BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) to attend pubwatch meetings up and down the country if it wants to push apprenticeships.

Marnell was speaking in response to BII chief executive Peter Thomas’ comments on individual pubs to make use of apprenticeships to improve the quality of service for the pub trade at the British Beer and Pub Association Key Issues Forum last week.

Thomas explained that smaller pubs really need to get behind apprenticeships, especially as the pub companies already have systems in-house to offer training.

He said he wants the trade to move away from the “mum effect” where parent’s of those working in a bar say, ‘why don’t you get a real job?’

The BII offers a Licensed Hospitality Industry Apprenticeships Framework, and Thomas explained that employers can receive a Government grant of £1,500 if they take on an apprentice.

Marnell said the best way to get to licensees is through pubwatch meetings. He said: “You could go to pubwatches to get the message out. That way you can get to the individual landlords. You must be speaking to the landlords so get out to the individual groups across the country. I’m willing to push this.”

Thomas replied: “Certainly, we have to put it out there but I’m nervous that people will say it’s too complicated, but then if the big pub companies are doing it, why shouldn’t the individual pubs do it?”

David James, chief executive at Visit Peak District, also showed his support for apprenticeships in the pub sector. He explained that if someone has a bad experience due to staff in a pub when the visit the area, they are more likely to remember the negative part of their break.