Pret A Manger recruits apprentices to celebrate 25th birthday

22nd July 2011, 9:55am

Sandwich retailer Pret A Manger has announced that it has recruited 25 apprentices to mark its 25th birthday this year.

The new recruits, who come from homeless backgrounds, have been taken on the three-month scheme with a view to gaining permanent positions.

Whilst training, all apprentices receive full pay and benefits, and Pret also gives them £100 for work clothes, pays for their travel to and from work and helps them set up bank accounts. On graduating, they are given a full-time job and receive a £100 gift voucher.

Pret has been working with eight charities and community projects in and outside London to identify potential apprentices.  Each candidate is invited for an interview and then placed in the business if successful.

Nicki Fisher, head of sustainability at Pret A Manger, who is in charge of the apprenticeship scheme, said: "This is about helping to break the cycle of homelessness.
 
"These apprenticeships provide a second chance for people who may have been written off by society.  Through working, the apprentices are able to get themselves out of hostels and into their own accommodation. They make a whole new set of friends and have a sense of purpose restored in their lives.
 
"After three months, if a permanent role is available and the apprentice has done well, they will be offered full-time permanent employment. If not, they will at least leave Pret with work experience to put on their CV and references."

So far, more than 75% of the apprentices recruited stay with the company permanently.

Related Articles:

• 17 May 2011 - Pret A Manger reveals its customers’ favourite sandwich

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marc

27 July 2011 at 7:43pm

Brilliant and it will be even better if the progress of the group could be reported through the press. What kind of backgrounds do the people have, as it is quite important that each has a support worker who will there to offer day to day contact, reassurance and debriefing after their long days. Mentally and physically it will be exhausting for them initially, but the tiredness and sleep that they will all have is amazing. Good luck to them all.

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