The VFI, in partnership with Griffith College, is launching a Bar Manager Degree Apprenticeship for bar staff who wish to take their career in the pub trade to the next level. The apprenticeship is designed to allow students gain their degree over three years.
The programme aims to develop confident and effective bar managers who can work autonomously and manage all aspects of a busy bar trade while delivering an excellent customer and staff experience.
The programme will provide learners with a range of integrated skills required to operate a bar including the legal and regulatory framework, leadership and management, food and beverage, commercial skills, finance, marketing, human resource management, communications and personal development.
Owners are encouraged to sponsor staff they feel will benefit from undertaking the degree. A fully qualified bar manager will bring a host of benefits to the business, including improved performance and increased knowledge along with the retention of a key staff member. Venues that allow staff undertake the degree will also gain a recruitment advantage by showing support for staff development.
Padraig Cribben, VFI Chief Executive, says: “The VFI is delighted to partner with Griffith College to bring this Bar Manager Degree Apprenticeship to the trade. At a time when staff recruitment is cited as the number one issue for hospitality businesses, this degree will play a vital role in retaining key personnel for the future.
“There are fantastic career opportunities available in the bar trade and we view this degree apprenticeship as the ideal ‘shop window’ to promote those careers. We are in competition for staff like never before so the launch of this course couldn’t come at a better time.
“I would encourage all VFI members to think seriously about nominating staff they feel could benefit from the undertaking the degree. The course is designed to allow staff work full-time while gaining their degree over three years. In that sense, it’s a classic apprenticeship but combined with a degree qualification,” concludes Mr Cribben.
For more details, please read the course brochure here
For employers:
The course will commence on 27th April and enrolment is now open. Employers can register their interest here
