The awards, which are in their 12th year, recognise the ingenuity, creativity, passion and hard work of learning and development professionals from around the world.
Greene King, which operates more than 3,000 pubs, restaurants and hotels across England, Wales and Scotland, was the only company from the pub industry to feature on the shortlist.
They took the Best Apprenticeship prize ahead of concrete frame contractors Byrne Bros for their Byrne Bros Apprenticeship Scheme, and BT Fleet – which offers fleet management, vehicle maintenance and accident management services to businesses - for their BT Fleet Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship Scheme – who took silver and bronze prizes respectively.
Proud industry representatives
Rooney Anand, chief executive of Greene King, said: “It’s fantastic to be recognised and celebrated for our apprenticeship programme. We passionately believe in apprenticeships and the role they play within our business and the wider industry. We’re proud to represent the pub industry through being recognised by Training Journal Awards this year.”
Greene King’s award-winning programme started in 2011. So far 9,000 apprentices have completed the programme with a further 2,600 currently in training.
The judges commented: “Greene King clearly identifies the challenge faced by the business and are using apprenticeships and the levy to tackle specific workforce issues.
“There is strong buy-in at all levels and they are delivering at scale nationwide with a diverse range of businesses through strong consistent communications."
Greene King, which also brews ale brands from its Bury St Edmunds and Dunbar breweries, operates retail brands such as Hungry Horse, Farmhouse Inns, Chef & Brewer, Flaming Grill and the Greene King Local Pubs estate.
- Interested in working in the pub industry? Then take a look at MA’s jobs site.