Students ready to enroll as new pub academy launches

The Spirit Group has unveiled a new learning and development centre, designed to be a hub for all its managerial training.

The facility in Northampton forms part of the Spirit Academy, an umbrella name for the pub companyís complete employee training offer.

Following an investment of 60,000, the centre will welcome up to 180 ëstudentí pub managers during 2007, helping them on their way to ëgraduationí with a series of residential courses.

Spiritís head of learning and development Andrew George said: ìWe have refreshed our whole approach to manager training, developing completely new courses which can be delivered at the refurbished training centre in Northampton.

ìIt means our training offer is more structured, with candidates progressing from stage to stage in groups at the same time. After around six months they should have all the skills and experience they need to graduate and take the reins at their own pub.î

Managers undergo four levels of training in the Academy and in between courses spend time gaining practical management experience in the Spirit estate.

They are required to prepare and implement a practical action plan after each level, which is later assessed by their business development manager.

The Northampton centre has everything tutors and delegates need ñ teaching rooms with electronic whiteboards, a working cellar, drinks dispense equipment, an IT suite and training kitchen.

There is even a Spirit pub with accommodation next door for those attending residential courses.

Spiritís HR director Jane Davies said: ìThe whole purpose of the Academy is to ensure our retail managers have the skills and knowledge they need to effectively deliver their job role and develop to their full potential.

ìAnd for Spirit as a whole, getting our recruitment, induction and training right leads to us having great people consistently delivering great results.î

The Spirit Group is the managed division of Punch Taverns plc, which owns more than 9,300 pubs nationwide.