Suffolk pub chain and brewer Greene King to recruit 5,000 apprentices by 2025
The company also plans to recruit more people leaving prison
Suffolk brewer and pub chain Greene King has pledged to recruit 5,000 new apprentices by 2025 as part of a plan to offer new career opportunities across the country.
The company is also planning recruit 300 new prison leavers by working with the Ministry of Justice. The firm will also set up a training kitchen at HMP Thameside.
Also among the plans is the creation of 'Chef Academy' in collaboration with TV chef Joe Hurd.
100 new internships will be offered to people with special educational needs, while Greene King says it will continue to deliver on a 2020 pledge to help 1,000 young people into work. So far 500 young people have secured employment under the scheme.
Nick Mackenzie, CEO of Greene King, said: “Pubs have always been about people, and I’ve witnessed the way a job in a pub can completely change a person’s life and become a lifelong, successful career."
"That’s why I’m proud that Greene King is making these commitments to provide people from all backgrounds access meaningful, rewarding careers in their local communities.
"Pubs have so much to offer both for those looking for careers and those in the local community.
"If we are to fully capitalise on this potential, government and wider industry must pull together to promote careers in hospitality and empower businesses to offer even more training and development opportunities.”
Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow and Chair of the Education Select Committee said: “As the Government pushes forward with its levelling up ambitions, I believe that apprenticeships have an essential role to play."
"Commitments from businesses, such as the additional 5,000 apprentices that Greene King has pledged to support by 2025, will be key to levelling up the country."