JD Wetherspoon signs up for skills pledge
One of the country's largest pub operators has launched a food and drink apprenticeship scheme for its 21,000 staff.
JD Wetherspoon is investing in the future and career development of its staff members by becoming the first pub operator to sign up to the government's skills pledge initiative, reports industry magazine the Publican.
The pledge is a voluntary, public commitment made by an organisation to invest in its workforce's skills.
Sainsbury's, McDonald's, Whitbread and Tesco have also signed the pledge on behalf of their staff.
Su Cacioppo, Wetherspoons' director of personnel and legal, said: "By signing up to the skills pledge, we will be able to offer our staff even greater opportunities to gain skills and qualifications, while working."
JD Wetherspoon has regularly featured in the list of Britain's leading employers, and until was until 2006, the only Pub company.
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Comments
Its great to see Wetherspoons sign up for such a pledge - but I think it will be a much harder challenge to encourage 'poorer' pub companies to do the same. The pub industry is being absolutely crushed at the moment through a mixture of tax increases, anti-binge drinking laws, competition from supermarkets, and a recession that is encouraging people to have quiet nights in.
If a player who is currently struggling to stay alive, such as Punch Taverns, managers to sign up for the pledge - that would show genuine commitment of management towards their people.
Great news... I love a pint or two (or three) at one of the many excellent JDW hostelries here in Leeds.
Keep up the good work!
Darren Bugg
www.thenewshound.co.uk
I agree with Si. It's great to see a chain an large as Wetherspoons give this kind of commitment to its staff. Especially in the current climate.