Such opportunities are valuable in promoting social mobility and provide alternative career paths for young people, with Greene King supporting more than 11,000 such careers in the past eight years.
In a report released by the pubco and brewer this week, the operator claimed the number of apprenticeships dropped from 500,000 in 2017-18 to 376,000 the following year, however, there has since been a 4% uptick.
The value of apprentices
The CEBR report, commissioned by Greene King and Lifetime Training shows the economic value of more apprentices, with the rise in the productivity of apprenticeships leading to gains of over £40m for the sector last year.
It also found that a company in the hospitality sector, having provided a Level 2 apprenticeship, can expect to recoup these costs just 10 months after completion, which is faster than most other sectors, including retail, engineering and financial services.
Both employees and those undertaking the scheme benefit from apprenticeships, said the report, adding that they shouldn’t be considered a second-class route for school leavers.
Graham Briggs, head of employability programmes for Greene King, said: “Apprenticeships hold the stigma of being for those who ‘drop out’ of higher or further education, or are more suited to those whose study careers were not particularly successful. This must stop.”
Excellent alternative
He continued: “Apprenticeships are an excellent alternative to those journeys and there could be a programme to suit many people aged 16 and above out there, especially in hospitality.
“With dozens of awards accumulated and over 11,000 apprentices supported since we started the scheme in 2011, we know we’re doing things in the right way.
“We also know our apprentices enjoy learning while at the same time kick – starting their careers with us and so earning money. That’s why we have pledged to support 20,000 apprenticeships by 2022.”
