Within hours of the launch of the Perceptions Group Pub and Bars Careers initiative, 100 work placements for young people had been pledged.
Over 40 pub and bar operators gathered to hear how the Pub and Bar Careers initiative can help to transform the lives of young people; provide the sector with well trained, enthusiastic and willing young people; operate with the utmost of ease; in some cases, provide financial support in taking on a young person; and enable operators to tap into a talent bank of future stars.
The power of a programme that works
Vice Chairman of the Perceptions Group, Anthony Pender, Director of Yummy Pubs, informed delegates about the programme he started in his business to help the young people from the pub’s neighbouring drop-in centre in Somers Town to get back into work. That programme has now grown into a solid, structured, work placement programme that is supported by a two week pre-employment programme that offers the best chance of success for young people coming in to the hospitality sector and provides pub operators with knowledgeable trained staff.
Two of Anthony’s team, Jess and Billy, explained how it worked for them. Jess was given the responsibility of running the programme at Yummy and five placements later she has seen three of her trainees move into full-time jobs within pubs. Billy was one of her first. Billy has been unemployed, had never considered a career within pubs and bars and has now transformed into a fantastic ambassador for the sector. This is the power of operating a programme that works.
Support from the Hospitality Guild
The initiative would not have moved so quickly had it not been for the support from the Hospitality Guild. The Hospitality Guild funded the web portal Hospitality Guild and the development of the programme thereby making it free for any operator to participate, be they large or small.
The tailored pre-employment programme for the pub and bar sector that encompasses training in age verification; drugs awareness; customer service; Food Safety – Level 2; Health and Safety – Level 2; amongst other modules, was the result of People 1st working closely with operators to create a tailor made programme.
The Youth Contract
Jobcentre Plus informed delegates that financial support is available through the Youth Contract to operators who take on a young person who had been unemployed. A wage incentive of £2,275 may be payable for each eligible young person recruited full time (30 hrs or more) who is then employed for at least 26 weeks:
“The support we have received from operators is massively encouraging” said Anthony. “Today was all about how the programme can work for operators, young people and the government – its most definitely a win:win:win. With over 1 Million unemployed young people and a sector that offers some of the most flexible, geographically mobile work opportunities, this programme ensures that young people are well prepared and appropriately trained to commence a career in this dynamic industry.”
Immediate pledges
At the conference, Anthony pledged that Yummy Pubs would offer a further 30 work placements in addition to the five they have currently run. Oakman Inns & Restaurants pledged a further 20 within a matter of hours, which was followed by a further 50 pledged by Beds and Bar’s.
The programme begins in April but employers can register or pledge their placements on the Hospitality Guild website. If you are interested in taking part in the programme please contact info@hospitalityguild.co.uk or tellmemore@perceptionsgroup.org or visit www.hospitalityguild.co.uk
About The Perceptions Group
The Perceptions Group was set up to engage like minded operators that have a passion to communicate, and demonstrate, the great range of career opportunities within pubs, bars and the casual dining sector that are open to people from all walks of life. There are no boundaries and all that is required to engage with, assist and promote these opportunities is a genuine passion for the business.
The work experience programme is supported by the industry’s trade and professional associations the ALMR, BBPA, BII, All Party Parliamentary Beer Group and the Hospitality Guild.
The Hospitality Guild is the professional gateway to careers, professional development, employers and sector information across the hospitality arena. The Hospitality Guild website is a portal to a wealth of information about employers, job opportunities, professional associations, training and professional development.
Advantages to operators: access to career minded individuals without the cost of recruitment consultants; fully funded initial training geared specifically towards our industry; access to a database of staff looking for work who have completed the scheme and work experience; the ability to recruit ‘shining’ individuals who come into the business on work placements
This is an opportunity for our industry to make effective use of government funding and show how important we are as an industry for employment opportunities with the hope of future concessions or funding.