Star Pubs & Bars is to roll out an e-learning package for all its lessees encompassing 24 accredited staff training and personal development courses.
The company said that its lessees are the first of any national leased pub operator to benefit from the e-learning programme from CPL Online, which provides them with the “high standards and scope of managed pub company training”.
The group anticipates that e-learning will ultimately transform all of its training, enabling it to transfer much of the factual information lessees need to know on line, freeing up time to focus on coaching lessees to gain different skills.
Research of Star Pubs & Bars’ lessees found that sourcing good, affordable staff training was a major challenge.
Chris Moore, Star Pubs & Bars property and strategy director, said: “E-learning is the perfect solution. Courses are designed to be used unsupervised and feature interactive animations, games and voiceovers to make the process easy, accessible and fun. Everyone can do it at a time and place that best suits them and can work at their own pace – ideal for pubs where employees work different shifts. Importantly, nobody is required to leave the pub, a real benefit in a busy customer facing business.
“Applicants can be required to complete basic training before they are taken on, a great way of identifying committed, enthusiastic candidates. And, once employed, lessees can provide staff with a structured development programme tailored to their individual experience, needs and ambitions.
“The Star Pubs & Bars estate is built on quality, long term sustainable pub businesses. We believe the key to a thriving pub is excelling in every area. We want to help our lessees have the best pubs, which means they have got to have the best staff; our new e-learning training will enable them to go a long way to achieving this.”
The pub operator said it used its buying power to secure the package for its lessees at a fraction of the cost they would be able to purchase it for as individuals.
It said that for just £250 a year each pub’s staff and lessees can access the interactive training from any internet connected computer 24 hours a day completing as many courses as they wish. The modules are grouped into three main areas: compliance (such as Age Verification, Food Hygiene and Handling and Health & Safety), soft skills ranging from Up-selling to Cellar Management and personal development, including Interview, Staff Appraisal and Time Management skills.
