Leading Welsh brewer launches search for new apprentice talent

by Robert Lloyd

Llandeilo-based award-winning brewer Evan-Evans is starting the search for 10 new apprentices to join the brewing company’s pub estate.

And one of them will be the first ‘brewing apprentice’ in the Welsh brewing industry.

The company has teamed up with Mid Wales company Cambrian Training to provide the comprehensive training scheme that will develop the new talent for the Evan-Evans brewery group.

The scheme, launched this week, will develop the opportunity for one new apprentice in each of the company’s public houses to work through the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) Level 2 and 3 certificates in Licensed Hospitality Skills.

In addition to training a team of front-of-house apprentices, the company has also committed to driving opportunities for apprentices in food production and cooking.

Evan-Evans Group Chief Executive Simon Buckley said:

“The search is on for 10 really good people to join our apprenticeship training scheme.

“We are an international award-winning company with a pub estate that is recognised for its high quality and standards.

“We are now looking for the future innkeepers of Wales who will drive our business in the years to come and we hope to find the next generation of ‘Super Chefs’ and to build their talents.

“We are proud to be the first company in Wales to drive the new BII apprenticeship scheme and will be starting to recruit candidates in early December for a Mid-January start.

“Our brewing apprenticeship scheme will be the first such scheme in Wales and will give one lucky individual the opportunity to join our team of award-winning brewers.

“In these difficult times, we are determined to grow our future managers of the business in-house and to make them the industry leaders of the future.

“This is a proud moment for us as a company and something I have wanted to do for a long, long time. This is a challenge we cannot afford to miss.”

William Powell, Liberal Democrat AM assembly member for West and Mid Wales

said:

“I am delighted to be able to support the team at Evan-Evans with this exciting new initiative.

“It is good to see a Welsh company supporting the training of 10 new managers of the future.

“These apprenticeships will be much sought-after and will develop the next generation of Welsh innkeepers and brewers. The Welsh Liberal Democrats are committed to developing apprenticeships and vocational training to build the stronger economy we need.

“I hope that other publicans will follow the lead of Evan-Evans and drive this opportunity to build the skills and fulfil the dreams of the youth of Wales with this innovative scheme.”