Punch supports pub licensees with BII Apprenticeship

30-Jan-2013 - Last updated on 30-Jan-2013 at 11:45 GMT

Fifty-five Punch Taverns licensees are currently working through the new Apprenticeship in Licensed Hospitality

Pub giant Punch Taverns has partnered with hospitality training provider Charnwood to deliver the BIIBAB Level 2 Apprenticeship in Licensed Hospitality as part of the leased pub company’s bid to help its employees build their careers in the trade.

Over 200 Punch licensees expressed an interest in the Apprenticeship training opportunity at one of the group’s UK-wide licensee support road shows late last year. Fifty–five trainee apprentices are already working through the qualification with Punch now progressing all other interest.

“With most employers believing that Apprenticeships provide higher overall productivity and lead to a more motivated workforce, we’re passionate about supporting our licensees and encouraging them to consider the value that a new Apprentice could add to their business,” said Punch’s HR director Jackie Burn.

“The Apprenticeship in Licensed Hospitality has been specifically designed to meet the legislation and compliance requirements of hospitality businesses so we’re excited to see the apprentices’ careers develop and the inevitable benefits to our licensee’s businesses.

Career progression

Hare-and-Hounds-Apprentices — L to R: Hare and Hounds’ apprentice Kelly Tandy; Punch Taverns’ licensee Kate Huckvale; apprentice Sarah Egan.

“We’ve already seen the value of the apprenticeship qualification at our Burton-based support centre. Since we began working with Charnwood, 77 employees have now achieved a Level 2 or 3 Apprenticeship and progressed within the company as a result.”

According Kate Huckvale, licensee of Punch’s Hare and Hounds in Coventry, the qualification is adding great value to her pub as two of her team members - Sarah Egan and Kelly Tandy – are currently working through the qualification.

Huckvale said: “Sarah has worked for me over the past four years and this qualification will enhance her role within the trade and benefit her future. Kelly has also really developed her skills and knowledge whilst undertaking the qualification.

“It will give them both a greater knowledge of the running of the business and provide due credit for the roles they play within the business.

Government funding

Huckvale is also completing the Level 3 Management Skills qualification herself, adding: “It’s a great to be working towards a nationally recognised qualification and it’s a really useful refresher. It’s good that all three of us are studying together.”

The Apprenticeship in Licensed Hospitality was launched a year ago by the British Institute of Innkeeping in partnership with Kensington and Chelsea College. Licensees who take on a new apprentice for the first time will benefit from a £1500 incentive payment from the Government, processed by Charnwood.

Daniel Billetop, area manager at Charnwood, added: “It’s fantastic to be working with Punch on the delivery of this qualification and great to hear the value that learners Kelly and Sarah are already deriving from it.

“We look forward to seeing many more licensees seeing the benefits to their businesses as a result of having an apprentice on-board.”

Punch Taverns operates over 4,500 outlets across the UK. Last week, the group’s chief executive Roger Whiteside handed his resignation notice and will step down from the board on 1 February to take up the chief executive position at pastry chain Greggs.

BII Level 3

Meanwhile, the BII has received Government funding for its Level 3 apprenticeship programme. The BII Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Licensed Hospitality Management, available from Friday 1 February, is aimed at those in supervisory or management roles in the hospitality industry.

The funding levels are £4,300 for those aged 25 and above, £5,400 for 19-24 year olds and £5,800 for 16-18 year olds.