Earn and learn
Apprentices take chance to earn while they learn
With 10 apprenticeship programmes, Wetherspoon has much to offer ambitious workers.
During February 2025, the 18th annual National Apprenticeship Week brought together the entire apprenticeship community to celebrate the value, benefit and opportunity of apprenticeships.
The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2025 is ‘skills for life’ (#SkillsForLife), reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge for a rewarding career – and how Wetherspoon can develop a talented workforce, equipped for the future.
Here, some of Wetherspoon’s apprentices share their stories on how their apprenticeship programme has helped their career development and reveal their plans for the future.
Name: Loreta Eitutyte Position: Kitchen team leader Pub: The Three John Scotts
Loreta said: “My apprenticeship (Production chef) provides plenty of knowledge and new information for developing skill and career progression. I really hope to go all the way and do a level 4 apprenticeship in the future, to open new opportunities for myself. My apprenticeship coaches provide good and efficient support throughout the journey and always answer all of the questions I have.”
Loreta’s coach said: “Loreta has progressed to her second apprenticeship. She is very engaged and enthusiastic about her learning and development. She has a great passion for her role and would like to continue her apprenticeship journey to level 4, if able to. English is a second language, so she works hard to always remain on track – and her quality of work is amazing.”
Name: Corrina Bates Position: Shift manager Pub: The Society Rooms
Corrina said: “One thing I want to achieve by the end of my apprenticeship (Operations/departmental manager) is to pass my diploma and feel proud of myself.
“The biggest challenge I have faced on the apprenticeship is referencing and the academic side of writing, yet I’m proud that I am more capable of completing my assignments than I first thought I would be.
“My most memorable moment, as an apprentice, is the social side of actually going down to Leeds Beckett University and interacting with the staff and other apprentices on my programme. I really enjoy the module learning we undertake at university.
“Some advice I’d give to a new apprentice is – don’t let it scare you. It isn’t as hard as you may first think. Keep at it and you can make it fit into your lifestyle. Make sure that you use your study hours wisely!
Name: Hannah Wilkinson Position: Shift manager Pub: The Captain Alexander
Hannah said ‘one skill I’m proud to have learnt so far on my apprenticeship (Operations/departmental manager) is reflection. I felt like I was quite reflective as a manager any way but the apprenticeship has definitely built upon that skill. It provides more depth to that reflection and having met other people from Wetherspoon pubs around the country it provides more food for thought.
The biggest challenge I’ve faced is balancing the apprenticeship work with working in the pub and life in general, it’s not been easy but if you’re committed you’ll get through it and having other people from the cohort quite close makes it easier. If anyone has an issue they’ll announce it to everyone else and people are always there to help’
Name: Hayden Brown Position: Bar associate Pub: The Coliseum Picture Theatre (Cleethorpes)
Hayden said: “When I chose to take part in the apprenticeship scheme, it had been less than a year since I decided to leave college. I enjoy my job, so thought I would like to expand on my knowledge of the industry and also wanted to gain my maths qualification.
“I’m still an associate with the company – and the apprenticeship is really supporting my ambition to become a team leader. I applied for a team leader role and received really good feedback from my pub manager.
“My career plan, for after I finish the apprenticeship scheme, is to become promoted to team leader and expand my knowledge further by doing the level 3 food and beverage apprenticeship.”
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Make working for us work for you.
If you’d like to join the friendly, fun team, learn while you earn work hours to suit you, get free food on every shift, plus employee discount and a whole lot more benefits too – apply for an apprenticeship role today.
Apprenticeships are not available in the Republic of Ireland.
