Level 5 Learning Launch For Greene King Rising Stars

In a first for the hospitality industry, Greene King is piloting a Level 5 Diploma in Management for nine top candidates in conjunction with Charnwood Training Group. The men and women, aged between 30 and 50, operate various outlets within Greene King's nationwide estate, from small community pubs to large city centre, food-led venues.

Greene King is committed to providing clear career progression opportunities for its employees, managers and lessees and wanted to provide a higher level training and development route for staff who display strong management qualities. Greene King and Charnwood worked to obtain government funding for the programme then developed the qualification, and the first stage of delivery has begun.

The programme of learning for the diploma is strongly linked to Greene King's already well-established career development pathway, which sees over 1,500 employees currently undertaking apprenticeships across the company's 2,400 pubs and restaurants. More importantly, it has been adapted to incorporate individual success measures surrounding people management and performance, customer service and organisation to ensure it has a positive impact on the business.

The nine pioneering candidates came together at Rothley Court Hotel in Leicestershire for a one day induction and will now complete the remaining seven modules in a virtual learning environment that has been customised for this course. This approach is known as "blended" learning; it combines online study with close support and guidance from tutors.

Jonathan Webster, managing director of Greene King's Destination Pubs and Restaurants division, added: "Our aim is not to just provide a 'pub job' but to offer a clear career path for our employees to become our house managers, regional managers, development managers and even directors of the future. 

"We are delighted that on top of our existing apprenticeship and training programme we now also have employees studying for a qualification which is basically one step down from a degree. The first candidates selected to complete the qualification have already been identified as Greene King's Rising Stars and with just a year for them to complete the coursework we will, of course, support them all the way."

Ben Williams, head of innovation for Charnwood, helped to make Greene King's requirements a reality and was involved in delivering the one day induction. He commented: "For us, the ground-breaking aspect of this project is that it brings an employer-driven, work-based approach to the design and delivery of higher level training for professional staff.

"In consultation with Greene King, we've helped develop and adapt the programme to maximise the relevance and impact for both the learners and the company."

Our photo shows: Charnwood Training Group training officer Nicola Hart (left) is pictured with the nine Greene King managers and trainee managers.

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For further information, please contact Michelle Luscombe at Progressive PR & Marketing on 07734 109200 or michelle@progressivepr.co.uk