What I learned from getting a job instead of going to uni
Honeybea Youngman from Pret A Manger takes over chief executive Clive Schlee’s blog for the day:
What does a 20 year old have to say on the CEO’s blog? Well, three years ago this week, I was faced with the prospect of opening my AS results. As if that wasn’t heavy enough, my dad is a Deputy Head teacher so I’ve always felt pressure to do well.
I was nervous about showing him my exam results, as they weren’t quite what I’d hoped for, but his response surprised me – he wasn’t disappointed, he simply said, “Well, you’ll just have to get a job then”.
I started looking at apprenticeships and discovered Pret’s School Leavers Programme (SLP) through a friend. I applied straight away, had a phone interview the next day, and started in my shop soon after. It wasn’t easy at first; in all honesty it was quite overwhelming. Working was very different to being at school. It was strange being on the same level as adults and realising that your actions (and attendance) affect a lot more people than just yourself.
I didn’t have much confidence back then, but luckily I had an amazing manager (hi Caroline!) I remember the first time she handed me the keys to close the shop at night – I’d never had that much responsibility in my life. I checked that they were still in my bag every ten minutes that first night! It felt incredible to be given that much respect so early on and it made me realise that if you’re nice to people and work hard, they will want to help you.
I’m now in charge of the initial phone interviews for this year’s SLP. I will be the first person at Pret that lots of our applicants speak to, and I’m always very truthful with them.
Looking back, I shock myself at how far I’ve come. I feel like I’ve grown up a lot quicker than other people my age. I moved out of home at 19 and I’ll be three or four steps into my career by the time they graduate and start at the bottom of the ladder. Never mind pay off their student loans!
Maybe you’re someone who would be great for the SLP? The atmosphere in Pret shops is fun and fast-paced. It isn’t always glamourous, but there are so many opportunities to make friends, grow as a person and work your way up the ladder. It’s hard work, but it’s taught me to be more thorough in everything I do and I am amazed by how in-control I am in my new role.
And who knows, maybe Clive will let you take over his blog one day too.
Entering the Hut
The first candidates of Pizza Hut Restaurants’ new degree level apprenticeship programme are set to enrol on the course this September.
The four-year programme, a first for the hospitality industry, is delivered in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University and offers people an opportunity to study for a BA (Hons) Business Management degree whilst receiving on the job training with Pizza Hut Restaurants. Successful apprentices will also receive a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Diploma in Leadership and Management and full CMI Chartered Manager status.
Kathryn Austin, chief people and marketing officer at Pizza Hut Restaurants, said: “We are looking forward to following the progress of the apprentices as they begin the new degree level apprenticeship programme. The great thing about the scheme is that it gives people the opportunity to mix academic and practical modules, providing not just a fantastic skills base in the hospitality industry but also skills for life.
“Our people are at the heart of everything we do and only through them can we offer our customers an experience that is second to none. By investing in our employees we are able to build a more motivated and skilled workforce for the future.”
James Mann, 18, works as a Pizza Chef and Server at the Chester Retail Park Hut and is currently waiting to find out his A-level Results.
He said: “I’ve always had my mind set on attending university but couldn’t decide what to do as a degree. After hearing about the degree level apprenticeship programme with Pizza Hut Restaurants, I felt it was an opportunity too good to be missed. My personal aim is to achieve a degree in business management and a managerial position within the company. It’s great to be able to combine the degree with practical, hands-on experience at a company I’m already familiar with.”
Aaron Oreschnick, 31, a deputy manager at the Trafford Centre Hut in Manchester, has enrolled at university twice before, first to study Music at Leeds and second Art at Edinburgh. However he was forced to drop out after first falling ill and subsequently being involved in a car accident.
He said: “I’ve wanted to become a Restaurant General Manager for a while and believe the degree level apprenticeship will help me to achieve that goal. I also hope to be able to inspire others around me to try new things, give new challenges a chance and to encourage other apprentices to do well and complete their training.
“It’s a really exciting time to work for Pizza Hut Restaurants at the moment because of the large investment into our restaurants, the remodel programme, our new menus, and because of the huge investment that we have made into employee training. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
