Micro Employer of the Year

Based in Rotherham, the Crown Pub currently employs two apprentices in their nine-strong team, and has trained eight apprentices over the past five years. In an industry where staff turnover is notoriously high, Cath Bown, public house tenant, believes that Apprenticeship training has made a real difference to her business, with most staff staying an average of three or four years.

Cath believes that Apprenticeships are the best way to motivate staff: “It gives them something to aim for. I want my staff to feel there is more to the bar assistant role than just serving drinks. Combining their job with the provision of a qualification gives them the ability to develop their career and go on to further education.

“As an employer, my main objective is to provide a quality service to my customers. As my staff are the main point of contact, it is essential that they are trained in areas such as customer service and product knowledge.”

Cath continues: “Apprenticeships are the ideal option as they cover all aspects of training that my business requires, and allows my staff to train whilst at work.”

The Crown’s commitment to training doesn’t end with apprentices. Cath also completes all the training courses and enters her workforce for awards. The team recently won Best Bar Team for South Yorkshire and the North East 2007 and also won Best Bar Team for Yorkshire in 2006, they have also been short listed for the national Responsible Drinks Retailing Awards in 2005.

Natalie Thorpe, communications coordinator at STL Training said: “Cath believes that hands-on training is the only way forward within the hospitality sector. Constantly striving to maintain high standards of training for her staff, Cath will continue to use work-based learning as a major factor within her business.”

The Crown is a finalist in the Micro Employer of the Year category at the national Apprenticeship Awards 2007.