Pub Manager Review
at JD Wetherspoon
Degree Apprenticeship
Hospitality Management
Eastwood, Nottinghamshire
Review Submitted: April 2022
Overall Rating
3.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3.2/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
Running the pub. Managing staff and budgets. Working towards targets. Training and development of employees. Supporting employees. Stock ordering and controls. Cash controls and customer service. Maintaining high standards, risk assessments and following company policies. I also have a very good relationship with the staff I’m like their work mum.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy the learning element of the programme as I always like to learn. I enjoy the social element of the programme and the new support network of people it has given me to source information from and bounce idea off. I am very positive about the experience.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
Yes I learnt about PESTEL analysis which helped me write my business plan for my pub manager interview. I have learnt the difference between simple problems and messy problems. I have learnt to manage my time effectively as I juggle managing a pub 40 hours a week aswell as a degree and being a mother.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
The organisation could be better but this could be down to the uni having to adapt due to covid changes so they are having to learn from experience and trial and error. The structure is okay. The only critism I have is that we did one of our biggest modules first which was also new to the programme and as many of us hadn’t been in a classroom for quite some time maybe a smaller module could have been first to warm us up
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive plenty of support. My area manager is supportive and provided me with any figures I needed for my research. The apprenticeship co ordinator is very hands on and is always available in the whats app group to listen to concerns or offer advice and support.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The feedback on assignment drafts is very slow which often eats into your time because you are waiting to move on. However when you do finally get your feedback it is very in-depth and helpful so you can make changes before submission and improve for next time after your submission.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
It is currently helping me understand the financial side better. Looking at strategies and how they may be effected by different factors and how these strategies may have an effect on stakeholders and also to identify who indeed these stakeholders are. It is helping me understand that messy problems cannot be solved all at once and that they need breaking down and solving piece be piece.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
There is nothing to my knowledge. We have 2 annual sporting events in which we get to network with other employees and compete in darts and football to raise money for our chosen charity. Social activities would make an excellent addition as we work unsocial hours so having a social life can be quite hard
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend JD Wetherspoon to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The progression rate is very good. The training is top quality. The employee benefits are very good and they really are trying to give you a good work life balance. The bonus and share incentive schemes are really good aswell. Who doesn’t like free money for a job they are already getting paid to do?
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to JD Wetherspoon?
Ignore the negativity you read in the press. These views are often based on peoples views of the chairman rather than the company.
Tim gets a tough time in the press and on social media but in reality he and Wetherspoon really do look after their staff.
Most social media comments are from disgruntled employees and aren’t a true reflection.
Tim gets a tough time in the press and on social media but in reality he and Wetherspoon really do look after their staff.
Most social media comments are from disgruntled employees and aren’t a true reflection.
