School leaver jobs: Start your career at Greene King

Are you fresh out of school and wondering what’s next? Jobs for school leavers at Greene King could be exactly what you’re looking for. Uni isn’t for everyone, and with only 36% of 18 years olds venturing into higher education, hospitality jobs are an exciting path to take. Our school leaver jobs mean you can kickstart your career in a place where we believe everyone deserves a job that makes them happy. 

Our 2,700 plus pubs and restaurants are built on inclusion and happiness at work. Whether you’re pouring the perfect pint, prepping meals like a pro, or learning how to lead a team, a school leaver job at Greene King gives you the chance to dive straight into a hospitality career and get the support you need to grow. 

Between apprenticeships for school leavers and entry level job opportunities, you’ll get all the tools needed to succeed. Here, we’ll take a closer look at pub jobs for school leavers and why Greene King is the perfect place to get started. 

Why Greene King school leaver jobs are the ideal first step

Taking the leap into the world of work is all about learning on the job. At Greene King, we’ve been recognised for our training for young people and as an industry-leading place to work. Our school leaver roles are designed to teach you the transferable skills you’ll carry through life, both personally and professionally.

From front of house to the kitchen, every role is hands-on. You’ll get real responsibilities from day one, working alongside a diverse and inclusive team who’ve got your back. Whether your goal is to eventually run a pub, become a chef, or simply gain some experience, Greene King is a fun and lively environment for school leavers. 

Earn while you learn with school leaver apprenticeships 

With 284,180 apprenticeships starting in the UK last year, more young people are choosing to develop themselves in the workplace. At Greene King, our hospitality apprenticeship programmes give school leavers the chance to gain qualifications while working and earning a wage. 

Each apprenticeship provides training and mentoring, ensuring you come out the other end with both practical experience and formal qualifications. You’ll get all the hands-on learning, expert support, and career development to prepare you for a long-lasting career in the hospitality industry. 

Ready to find your feet in a hospitality apprenticeship? We have the following programmes:

• Chef apprenticeships: Learn to cook, prep, and create mouth-watering dishes alongside our experienced chefs. You’ll understand how to manage a busy kitchen while gaining a nationally recognised qualification. 
• Bar and waiting apprenticeship: Serve customers with a smile, master the art of the perfect pints, and get to know the locals
• Team leader apprenticeship: Gain leadership skills, run a floor, and step into the world of management

Skills you’ll gain in our school leaver jobs

School leaver roles at Greene King are jam-packed with opportunities to learn skills that go beyond your first job. From dealing with customer interactions to get stuck into a busy shift, you’ll clock off . 

You’ll learn how to think on your feet, handle tricky situations with a smile, and manage tasks under pressure. Plus, you’ll pick up plenty of technical skills that will look great on a CV whatever you choose to do next. With our culture of internal mobility, chances are you’ll want to stick around!

Here’s just a handful of the skills you can expect to pick up in a job for school leavers.

• Customer service: Our pubs and restaurants are the heart of communities. You’ll build confidence talking to people from all walks of life
• Teamwork: Learn how to collaborate under pressure and keep plenty of plates spinning smoothly at once
• Time management: When the heat ramps up, it’s all about staying cool. Our school leavers learn how juggle multiple tasks like a pro
• Practical skills: Depending on which role takes your fancy, you can gain hands-on experience in food prep, drink service, waiting on, and more

How to make your school leaver CV stand out

No previous work experience? No problem. At Greene King, we’re committed to untapping potential and we’re all about giving chances. As long as your school leaver CV shows off that you’re up for a challenge and willing to learn, we’d love to hear from you. 

Think about transferable skills from things like school projects or volunteering. Keep it clear and concise, making sure to let a bit of your personality shine. When we’re shortlisting for job interviews, here’s a few of the things we consider. Spoiler alert, we don’t need to see qualifications for you to be considered. 

• Highlight your skills: Shout about your problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills and let your energy shine through the page
• Show any achievements: As mentioned, we don’t expect to see formal qualifications in our job roles for school leavers. If you have any awards from school or extracurricular activities that translate to life in our pubs and restaurants, though, let us know
• Keep it neat: Sometimes less is more. One page is plenty, so don’t think you need to rewrite War and Peace. Make your CV nice and easy to scan
• Let us see your excitement: Enthusiasm goes a long way. Explain clearly why you want to join Greene King and how you align with our values and behaviours

Benefits of school leaver jobs at Greene King

When you start your first job, no doubt you’ll be counting down to payday. There’s no feeling quite like having that hard-earned money in your pocket for the first time. At Greene King, we believe hard work deserves even more. From staff discounts to a lively team culture, our benefits package makes sure you’re well-rewarded.

In a school leaver job, you’ll be eligible for benefits such as:

• 33% off food and drink, half-price hotel stays, and perks for friends and family
• Financial support when you need it most
• Discounts on gym memberships, swimming classes, spa treatments and more so you can keep on top of your wellness
• 24/7 mental health support
• Referral scheme when you bring your pals on board
• Supportive and fun teams that make coming to work enjoyable

Ready to apply for school leaver jobs?

Explore our apprenticeships, bar and waiting jobs, and kitchen jobs today or sign up for job alerts to get a nudge about our latest opportunities.