Shift manager Review

by JD Wetherspoon

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

9.8/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

My job role is bar shift manager and this involves running the shift, taking food, drink orders, taking food and drink to tables. Sorting breaks out, changing barrels, doing food and beer orders for the next week to make sure we don't run out of anything. Maintaining the pub and keeping to our CQSMA standards.

10/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I'm currently working through my apprenticeship, only been doing 3 months. The taking I've been set so far I do regularly in the pub. While doing the course I freshen up on my managerial styles and how each one can work in different ways. I'm looking forward to learning new skills.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy the programme. When it was first introduced to us, I wanted to do the Level 4 straight away but it wasn't ready at the time. So I did the Level 3 which I fully enjoyed and that's why I've reapplied to do the Level 4.

10/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The programme is well structured as it gives you bitesize training to do each week to keep on top of the course. You can save it at any point and come back to it during the week. If I come across a problem, I know I can message my tutor and they'll help me out.

10/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Head office is fully supportive and likes when people sign up to do the apprenticeship. As my pub has just received a new pub manager I'm unsure how supportive they will be as I've not met them yet. I'm sure they will be supportive but just wanted to be honest.

8/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

As I've done the Level 3 and I know what I need to do to complete the course in the timing manner. My tutor let's me get on with it. If I've done a task, my tutor will always give me feedback on it. I know she's always there if I need her.

10/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

I feel the training through my provider helps me perform better in my job role as it gives me tasks that I may not do as part of my daily job role within the pub. So it gives me a refresher on how to do things, that I may not do regularly.

10/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

Occasionally we do extra-curricular activities to support our charity YLVC - Young Lives Versa Cancer. We do football tournaments and darts tournaments. Our company has set dates to walk up mountains within the UK during the year. Every employee has the opportunity to join in these events if they want to.

10/10

9a. Would you recommend JD Wetherspoon to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

I've been working at the company for 20 years and every day is different. You get to meet lots of people and make friends while working.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to JD Wetherspoon?

Anyone wanting to apply to JD Wetherspoon for a job, I would say do it. It's the best thing I did. I started of as a part time bar associate and now I'm a Grade 4 shift manager. I work 29 hours round my children, so I have a good work/life balance.