Pubs minister Brandon Lewis has launched a scheme to offer 15,000 young people work placements in pubs and bars.

Under the Pub and Bar Careers scheme, candidates will complete a pre-employment training programme intended to equip them with foundation-level qualifications and prepare them employment via a traineeship or apprenticeship.

Pre-employment academies and workshops are being set up in conjunction with the Hospitality Guild and People 1st, the industry’s sector skills council.

The national launch follows an industry briefing that took place in February when companies were asked to pledge placements. To date more 1,500 placements have been pledged and more than 3,000 apprenticeships have been made available.

Anthony Pender, director of Yummy Pubs, said “This scheme really does give young people an opportunity. Four of my employees have come via this route and we have signed up to take another 30 over the next year as our pub business grows. With around a million young people unemployed we, as an industry, are well placed to be part of the solution in offering not only jobs, but also long term careers.”

Keith Knowles, chairman of pub and bar trade body the Perceptions Group, added: “Pubs and bars are generally seen as a short-gap; part-time, pocket-money job. The reality is that they offer a diverse and interesting range of career opportunities”.