A new ‘Earn and Learn’ program of courses has been launched by Bear Inns, the owner of award-winning Cheshire pub The Swan at Tarporley and celebrated country inn The Lion at Malpas, pioneering recruitment within the local hospitality industry. The program is designed to help students get experience within the sector… as well as earn some money!
Bear Inns, which has decades of experience in the hospitality industry, has created two courses in general hospitality and culinary experience. This course encourages school leavers, university students, or those looking for a career change to gain lifelong skills and earn at least £5.5k in the kitchen, or £6k for studies, travel, or anything else for 3 months.
The scheme has been launched to challenge perceptions around working in hospitality, with Bear Inns offering younger people the opportunity to embrace a different outlook on learning that they may have had at school or university. Those who join the team under a hospitality course will be offered a competitive salary (minimum guaranteed earnings of £5,500k over 3 months), a 40-hour working week, involvement in company days out, supplier trips, and team parties. Existing employees who want to join the course will be guaranteed a return to their previous role at the end of the period or an opportunity to progress in hospitality.
In addition to experiencing the camaraderie and adrenaline of working in a fast-paced environment, new team members will also gain transferrable life skills like self-confidence, communication, teamwork, and reliability that can be applied not just in the workplace, but also in one’s personal life.
“Working in hospitality gives an experience you can’t get anywhere else,” said Woody Barlow, Director of Bear Inns. This is real life in the real world! By taking these courses, workers will develop their confidence as well as gain knowledge of many types of people they may not have met before.”
Hallie, who worked at The Swan comments: “Working at The Swan for 6 months was hugely rewarding and great fun. I’ve met some amazing people on the way. It’s not all been easy, but I was surprised to see how much I had learned. It’s enabled me to earn enough money to spend 4 months traveling the world before I go to university as well as giving me lots of new talents! My flat whites are now second to none!”
Freddie, a Chef de Partie at Rovi in London, who started their culinary journey at The Lion, added: “In summer 2021, I spent 5 months working for Krystian in The Lion as my first kitchen job. The experience furthered my love of cooking and provided a foundation to develop as a chef. Now, after 18 months working for the great Ottolenghi in his London restaurant Rovi, I plan to travel and work in some of the most renowned restaurants in the world.”
As part of the second scheme, students will be required to take a professional cooking course for 3 or 6 months, depending on their level of experience. Team members will receive a salary of at least £6,000 over 3 months, 40 hours with the option of working a 4-day week, a £500 completion bonus, a guaranteed role, and the opportunity to pursue an NVQ.
Existing employees who want to join the course will be guaranteed a return to their previous role at the end of the period or an opportunity to progress in the kitchen. They can choose to learn cooking skills to impress friends and family or to find out if cheffing is for them.
Visit Bear Inn’s website to learn more about their Earn and Learn program website.
