The Spirit Group – the managed division of Punch Taverns, which owns more than 9,300 pubs nationwide – has launched a new £60,000 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 company’s complete employee training offer.
The centre will welcome up to 180 ‘student’ pub managers during 2007, helping them on their way to ‘graduation’ with a series of residential courses.
Andrew George, Spirit’s head of learning and development, said: “We have refreshed our whole approach to manager training. It means our training offer is more structured, with candidates progressing from stage to stage in groups at the same time.
“After about six months they should have all the skills and experience they need to graduate and take the reins at their own pub.”
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The Northampton centre has everything tutors and delegates need – teaching rooms with electronic whiteboards, a working cellar, drink dispensing equipment, an IT suite and training kitchen.
There is even a Spirit pub, with accommodation, next door for those attending residential courses.
