Costa has launched a major apprentice recruitment drive across the UK, as part of its commitment to offering careers and skill development in hospitality. There are 800 apprentices already in learning across Costa’s parent company Whitbread, with many more graduates working throughout the company. Costa has now committed to hiring at least 250 new apprentices by the end of 2017, all of which will receive the National Living Wage.
The fully-funded apprenticeship scheme offers nationally recognised qualifications focusing on wider business management, customer service and communication skills, as well as industry leading training in traditional barista skills. This ensures apprentices are able to progress within the company and the industry more widely, all whilst learning. The scheme is run in-house so Costa can ensure the highest standards, and has an OFSTED rating of ‘Grade 2 – Good’ through Costa’s parent company, Whitbread.
“As a leading UK hospitality business, we want to lead the way in training the next generation of leaders for the hospitality industry,” said Russ Hartland-Shaw, Costa Apprentice Programme Manager, “We know our business can only be successful if the communities in which we operate thrive, which is why we are committed to providing a scheme that offers apprentices the right level of support and responsibility, as well as a clear, structured pathway to enable candidates to have a future within the company.”
Costa apprenticeships have so far created more than 170 permanent roles for young people throughout the UK interested in pursuing hospitality career.
“The Costa apprenticeship scheme has made a huge difference to me – It’s great to be invested in and have someone say that they believe in you,” said Rob Vizor, a recent graduate of the scheme, “My Costa colleagues were all great at giving me the help I needed to succeed, and that has given me a massive confidence boost across all areas of my life.”
With impressive growth targets and a 2020 milestone of over 2,500 UK stores, apprenticeship vacancies will be available in stores throughout the country, including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds and Birmingham.
As part of this commitment to learning in the workplace Costa believes this year’s introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy is an opportunity for businesses to bring new talent into the business. Costa is reinvesting the Levy into existing programmes to increase the scope and potential they offer.