Greene King hailed as great employer of apprentices

23-Jan-2018 - Last updated on 24-Jan-2018 at 13:13 GMT

Commitment to programme: Greene King currently has 2,500 apprentices working towards qualifications

Greene King has been recognised in the 2017 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer List, compiled annually by the National Apprenticeship Service.

Sponsored by Centrica, the list was announced at the National Apprenticeship Awards, which took place on 18 January.

It features organisations that display the highest standards of excellence in employing apprentices. After a thorough selection process, the top apprentice employers made up the final list of 100 most apprentice-friendly employers.

'Strength to strength'

Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand said: “We take our responsibility to develop our team members’ careers very seriously and have been investing in our apprenticeship programme for many years now.

"It is great to be recognised for this by the National Apprenticeship Service and we’re very pleased to once again be named a top 100 apprenticeship employer. Our apprenticeship programme goes from strength to strength as we continue to offer development opportunities for young people in hospitality.”

Greene King was commended for offering bespoke qualifications that support a range of job roles from front of house and management roles, to positions in the kitchen – all of which are tailored to Greene King retail brands such as Hungry Horse, Flaming Grill and the Greene King Local Pubs estate.

Qualified workforce

National Apprenticeship Service director Sue Husband said: “The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer List 2017 demonstrates clearly the impact apprentices can have on an organisation. Apprentice employers are creating opportunities for individuals to gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed, up to degree level, while working and earning.

“These employers are making a difference to the lives of their apprentices by investing in their future. In return, apprentices are helping employers to develop a skilled, qualified workforce to build a stronger economy.

“I hope the success of these employers will mean more businesses across England aspire to follow their example and to find out for themselves how apprenticeships help to grow a skilled and highly qualified workforce.”

Although the pubco has more than 2,500 people currently working in apprenticeships, Greene King pledged to support 10,000 apprentices in 2016.

Greene King currently operates 3,000 pubs, restaurants and hotels across England, Wales and Scotland, and is one of the UK’s biggest cask ale brewers, boasting brands such as Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale and Belhaven Best.