The co-founder of an award-winning pub group with four sites in Dorset has expressed pride in the company’s trailblazing apprenticeship programme.

Simon Bunn, Managing Director of Brewhouse & Kitchen, was speaking after six brewing apprentices travelled to Bournemouth from across the country to create a special edition beer.

Called ‘Flash Bang Hop’, the Session IPA with citrus and floral notes marked Hospitality Apprenticeships Week.

It will be available at selected Brewhouse & Kitchen venues.

Brewhouse & Kitchen (B&K) was founded by Kris Gumbrell, from Bournemouth, and Simon in 2013.

The group now employs 550 people.

The locations of its 21 Brewpubs include Bournemouth’s The Triangle, Southbourne, Poole and Dorchester.

A unique feature of B&K is that each of its Brewpubs has a microbrewery onsite with their own brewer, beers and recipes.

B&K launched its brewing apprenticeship programme four years ago, bringing structured education to the technical skill of brewing.

It provides an opportunity for home brewers, beer specialists and enthusiasts of all ages – and not just young people – to become a fully qualified brewer.

B&K’s apprentices learn from some of the best specialists in the country and then put their knowledge to use in the company’s Brewpubs.

That includes looking after their product from recipe design and selection of ingredients to the pint in the guest’s hand.

There’s also plenty of beer education at the University of Nottingham where the programme is paired.

B&K says 84 per cent of its Brewpub locations now have a brewer who was developed through the apprenticeship programme.

While most have stayed with the company, others completing the apprenticeship have joined breweries such as St Austell, CloudWater and Attic.

B&K, which recently won the ‘Excellence in Promoting Careers’ category at the HR in Hospitality Annual Awards, also offers a range of apprenticeships in professional kitchens and hospitality management to all their team, no matter their experience.

They range from Level 2 Commis Chef all the way to Level 5 Operations Manager.

Simon, pictured above, right, with Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Kris, said: “I’m extremely proud of the training opportunities that Brewhouse and Kitchen provide.

“The apprentice programme is a great example of part of our training offer.

“This sets B&K apart and companies who offer this will help to professionalise our industry.

“We have an amazing team working and delivering this.

“Many will rise to be very senior within hospitality.”

Hospitality Apprenticeships Week ran from Monday October 3 to Sunday October 9.

It aimed to showcase the unique and diverse pathways provided by the sector at a time of record vacancies in the industry.

• More information on B&K’s apprentice programmes can be found here.