Greene King and The Prince's Trust toast successful pub apprentices

28-Feb-2018 - Last updated on 28-Feb-2018 at 10:54 GMT

'Confidence boost': Jamie Quinn (right) collects his Get Into Hospitality certificate at an event in Leeds

Pub operator and brewer Greene King and youth charity The Prince's Trust celebrated the success of their latest Get Into Hospitality apprenticeship programme with an event at the Griffin pub in Leeds.

The Prince’s Trust and Greene King’s programme helps 16 to 25-year-olds get work experience and training in the hospitality industry.

The scheme aims to help each student gain industry qualifications, a job offer from Greene King and, if they wish, the opportunity to the enrol in the Greene King Apprenticeship Programme to further enhance their skills.

'Changed my life'

Bradford’s Jamie Quinn, for example, had been out of work for eight months when his job centre adviser told him about the Get into Hospitality programme in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Quinn took the course at Greene King’s Hawthorne Farm pub in Leeds and, at the end of it, was offered a job as a chef there.

The 20-year-old said: “I got into it straight away. I learned so many new skills, and everyone was so helpful. I think the best thing for me was getting to know new people and feeling part of a team.

“It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s been a massive confidence boost and has changed my life.

“I would recommend the programme to anyone in my position. If you’re unsure what to do or where to turn, just give it a go. Greene King and The Prince’s Trust will help you and keep helping you until you’re successful.”

Confidence builder

The Prince’s Trust chief executive Nick Stace said: “We are grateful to Greene King for partnering with The Prince’s Trust to help young people in Leeds gain the skills they need to secure a job and, importantly, to build their confidence.

“Our work together on the Get Into Hospitality programme continues to be a success. It is clear from stories like Jamie’s that, by working together, we can provide young people with a unique opportunity to learn about the hospitality industry and to gain fulfilling experience that helps them build a career.”

Greene King’s director of HR, Andrew Bush, who presented certificates on the night added: “We are proud of the young people who have completed our Get Into Hospitality course in Leeds.

“They showed great courage to look into the scheme and came along to face new learning experiences. For many of them, this is an important step to get their first job in hospitality and we are pleased to have been able to support them.”