Have you ever wondered if an apprenticeship is a good career move for you? Sure, you join a business with lots to learn, but that’s what makes these programmes so enriching. You get to work alongside people with years and years of experience and watch how they tackle the challenges and enjoy the successes.

At M&B, our apprentices are our future. So while we’ve got an award-winning training scheme that will guide you throughout the programme, we encourage our apprentices to make the experience their own and teach us all something in the process.

To mark this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, we’re celebrating our four divisional ‘Apprentices of the Year’ winners, recognising them for their hard work and commitment. Read on to hear why M&B wouldn’t be the same without them.

Joseph Faulkner– Toby Carvery, Old Forge

Joseph’s journey with M&B

Joseph joined the Toby family as a front of house apprentice, and has since completed two apprenticeships. During his level 3 supervisory qualification, Joseph found his passion for the kitchen. He is now a kitchen team leader, where he helps to train and coach the team. Joseph also provides support to 12 other businesses within the district, delivering kitchen trainin, whilst helping to maintain a smooth service. 

Why Joseph was chosen as our restaurant division winner

Joseph has come on leaps and bounds through completing his two apprenticeships. It's been wonderful watching his confidence increase, and seeing how he rises to every challenge. Joseph always steps forward to provide support when it's needed, both for his own business and the wider district, often covering team shortages. Joseph is a shining example of what passion, dedication and hard work can achieve. Team Old Forge wouldn't be the same without him. Joseph is truly valued by the Toby Team.

Zachary Nation - Miller & Carter, Solihull

Why Zachary was chosen as our premium division winner

Zachary was nominated by his manager, who said, “Zachary has finished his first apprenticeship and has quickly stepped up to his second. He has worked hard to master most sections in the kitchen and welcomes new challenges with open arms. When a site 20 miles from his home was struggling because they needed more help in the kitchen, he was the first to jump in so they could stay open for their guests. This lad is totally devoted to the Miller & Carter brand.”

Team Miller & Carter Solihull are always looking for more people like Zachary who want to grab these apprenticeship opportunities with both hands and grow within our businesses.

Amy Ryan – Castle, Crown and Greyhound

Why Amy was chosen as our city division winner

Amy was nominated by her Lifetime Learner Coach, who said “Amy has consistently worked hard towards her apprenticeship and has dealt with her share of challenges since starting her Level 4 programme. Amy always completes her work to a high standard. Her learning plan has developed her knowledge, skills and behaviours and supported her in becoming a more effective manager.

Amy’s next step with Mitchells & Butlers

It’s great to see our people progress, and we’re big believers in providing them with the opportunities and support they need to grow their hospitality careers. This is why we were thrilled when her coach told us, “Amy is now also completing her General Manager course and is looking to take on her first General Manager job in 2022. Amy is a great learner and deserves to be recognised for her dedication and hard work.”

Tom Bamber – Ember Inns, The Anderton Arms

Tom’s journey with M&B

Tom was nominated by his Retail Business Manager Greg Yates, who said, “Tom started as a glass collector around four years ago. He has been open about the fact he has Asperger’s Syndrome and struggles to work in noisy environments. When Paul Jordan took over as General Manager, The Anderton Arms was struggling for kitchen team members, and Tom offered his help. To say he took to it like a duck to water is an understatement.

"Tom has a massive appetite for learning, but he had initial concerns about whether he would be able to read questions or write an essay. Knowing that Tom’s experience of doing an apprenticeship with Asperger’s would come with unique challenges, his managers assured him they would support him all the way.”

Why Tom was chosen as our pub division winner

Tom was nominated by his Learner Coach from Lifetime Training, who said, “Thomas has completed his Team Leader Level 2 qualification and worked extremely hard. He struggled with his ICT exam, but he put in extra learning time with his Kitchen Manager and General Manager. So when he passed the exam, he was really pleased. At times, he’d feel stressed, but he would take five minutes to himself, let it wash over him and then carry on.”

Greg Yates told us, “Tom has recently passed his Team Leader NVQ, and he now covers the kitchen in the Kitchen Manager’s absence. This kitchen currently sits at the top of the Ember Inns 'back of house scorecard', and his managers tell me that this is just as much down to Tom as it is them.”

Step up to an apprenticeship with Mitchells & Butlers

Now our apprenticeship winners have given you a little taste of what impact you can make at M&B, why not explore our latest apprenticeships and see how you can help build the future with us? Whether you've just finished school or are looking to retrain, we have an apprenticeship programme to suit you.

Or, check out our apprenticeship content to hear more stories from our people and get advice before applying for a programme.