Stonegate Pub Company launches staff training centre in Birmingham

Albert’s Academy in Birmingham uses the company’s Albert’s Theory of Progression programme — based on the historical figure of Albert Einstein — with pub managers handpicked for accelerated promotion and chefs invited for training days.

Stonegate has also launched a bespoke intranet training system called Elsa, in conjunction with CPL Training. The facility includes product and best-pour information, appraisal updates and kitchen support among other features.

Bosses expect the system to improve staff retention as employees can log on from their homes or smartphones to view rotas and even flag up their availability to work extra shifts at other venues.

Kitchen staff stand to benefit as Perry Huntley, head of food development, explained: "Albert’s Academy will give us the flexibility to host supplier innovation days and hands-on training sessions for our chef teams without the need to use our pub kitchens or work around their trading hours. It means we can host training sessions for our chefs that are relevant to them and their daily working life in the pub."