Ten brewers in bid to develop apprenticeship standard

04-Apr-2017 - Last updated on 06-Apr-2017 at 15:44 GMT

Support: BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds has backed the apprenticeship proposal

Related tags Brewing

A group of 10 brewers have submitted an ‘expression of interest’ to the Government in a bid to develop a new brewing apprenticeship standard.

The move has been supported by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and the Institute of Brewing & Distilling.

An apprenticeship ‘trailblazer’, consisting of more than 10 employers and other industry stakeholders, including the BBPA, has been formed to develop the new standard, which the group estimate will take about 12 months.

Expression of interest

A proposal that must be submitted to a department of Government in order to be considered for an invitation to tender.

Existing frameworks phased out

The Government is beginning to phase out existing apprenticeship frameworks meaning it is important that a brewing occupation standard is now established.

The standard is now the subject of consultation by the Department for Education, and the BBPA has urged brewers to give their views and demonstrate their support for it.

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “The upcoming apprenticeship levy will see all those with a pay bill exceeding £3m contribute and the brewing sector will be affected, so it’s great to have been involved in helping to set up this ‘trailblazer’ and work together so shape our future training needs.”

Training and apprenticeships are vital

Brewhouse & Kitchen chief executive Kris Gumbrell has spearheaded the development of the standard.

Gumbrell said: “Training and apprenticeships in our industry are vital to our continued success.

“The creation of a brewing apprenticeship standard will help us continue to provide high-quality training opportunities for current and future employees while also giving breweries access to a skilled workforce from their investment in the levy.”

SIBA managing director Mike Benner highlighted the importance of the beer and brewing industry to employing young people.

He said: "We are seeing more and more young people show an interest in the independent craft brewing industry, thanks in no small part to the boom in choice of quality beers across the UK that are inspiring the next generation of brewers."