The masterclass academies aim to help chefs develop their understanding and skills through live demonstrations at venues around the UK.
Hurd said: “I am delighted to support Greene King with the launch of its new chef academy programme and look forward to meeting the first apprentices shortly.
Best learning opportunities
“Our industry offers some of the best learning opportunities and academies help to support skills and growth in the sector as well as providing our key employer partner, Greene King, exciting professional development programmes for their people.”
Greene King also announced 450 business-wide apprenticeships, which run nationwide all year round and are open to anyone, including opportunities to learn-as-you-earn in front and back of house roles in pubs and hotels, as well as apprenticeship programmes in leadership and management roles within breweries, property, finance, and logistics.
Greene King chief people officer Andrew Bush said: “It’s great to mark National Apprenticeship Week with news of our 450 live opportunities for people across the country and the start of our new Chef Academy.
“Our apprentices are our future business leaders. We see these programmes as the perfect foundations to build for the future, learn and earn at the same time.”
Exciting career paths
Last year saw more than 1,600 apprentices start or complete an apprenticeship course in 2021, despite pub closures due to the impact of Covid on the hospitality sector, and to date more than 15,000 people in total have been supported by and progressed in their careers with Greene King.
Bush added: “The hospitality industry has so much to offer, so many different and exciting career paths and it is great to see more and more people from a wide range of backgrounds choosing to work and learn with us.
“We are proud 1,600 of our apprentices started or completed a programme with us during a challenging 2021 for hospitality and is testament to our commitment to investing in our people, our biggest asset.”
