Member Article

Caffè Nero serves up manager development through WELL apprenticeship delivery

Premium coffee house Caffè Nero has in partnership with people development leader WELL Training, launched a new ‘Super Leader’ apprenticeship programme.

The programme, the second of its kind at Caffè Nero, will use high impact training to help Caffè Nero’s Store Managers work towards the Operational Manager Apprenticeship Standard and will see them equipped with the core skills for leading their stores and progressing within their leadership careers.

The programme’s success has been welcomed by the Minister for Skills Alex Burghart.

The programme will see more than 30 Store Managers taken through the course as part of the drive to enhance their skills as Caffè Nero recovers from the pandemic and returns to growth.

The group began face-to-face learning at the Caffè Nero Head Office in Covent Garden, with sessions focused on operational management, organisational strategy and authentic leadership.

Caffè Nero Group HR Director, Andrea Cooper commented: “People are at the heart of our business and we have always put particular focus on developing people from within and providing a clear pathway for growth.

“Over 70% of our above store team originated in store, and this programme further strengthens that investment in our people. I think the Apprenticeships are a fantastic and worthwhile way to develop individuals, equipping them for their own careers and for strengthening our teams.

“I’m delighted to be working with WELL on such an important programme and look forward to jointly supporting more managers through the apprenticeship development pathway.”

The new programme will also be rolled out across The Caffe Nero Group’s other brands including Coffee #1 and Harris + Hoole.

Caffe Nero’s second manager apprenticeship programme, which began on Thursday 31st March, follows the success of the initial programme during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

WELL was selected by Caffè Nero as its learning partner due to its balanced focus on employee and employer impact, and the first programme saw more than 50 UK Store Managers go through the biggest apprenticeship programme delivered by WELL to date.

WELL shaped the curriculum with Caffé Nero people leaders to tailor the learning to the company, both supporting the progress of the learners, many of whom as a result have already progressed in their career, and delivering against key business measures.

The programme also gave the participants the chance to develop their skills while working from home due to the pandemic and also included geographical hubs, which gave regional groups the chance (when allowed) to bond while discussing best practice.

The programme featured modules on leadership, resilience and well-being, project management, mentoring and financial management.

WELL CEO Lindsey Flynn added: “Working with a forward thinking leading brand like Caffé Nero, who have ambitions to support the development of their managers even in challenging times, has been a pleasure for WELL.

“It is great to see the first programme pay dividends around retention as Caffé Nero look to capitalise on the opportunities ahead through the new intake’s training.”

The partnership’s progress has been welcomed by the Minister for Skills Alex Burghart. Mr Burghart said: “Apprenticeships are an excellent way for people of all ages to get the skills they need to progress into rewarding jobs. It is brilliant to see leading brands like Caffé Nero capitalising on the power of apprenticeships to level up their workforces for the future.”

Launched in 2010, WELL Training have grown their reputation as an apprenticeships training provider and partner of leading brands for management coaching and staff development.

They have worked with clients across the public and private sectors in the UK including Premier Marinas, the Wellcome Trust-owned operator of 10 leading marinas.

Recent expansion worldwide has seen them work with international personal care leader Edgewell, parent company of Wilkinson’s Sword, as well as US-based photography leader Cherry Hill Programs.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chris Leggett .