PizzaExpress, the nation’s most iconic pizzeria and family favourite dining destination, is incredibly excited to launch its School and College Leavers Programme. Running placements across England and Ireland, the initiative provides a fast-track training programme to becoming a General Manager, on top of a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
The programme is aimed at the next generation of hospitality leaders who are destined to work for the brand which serves mouth-watering ‘proper pizza’ and famous Dough Balls. With no better way to gain a degree than by earning and learning at the same time as building a career in a business where people can truly progress, the search is on over the summer to fill the placement opportunities. Once hired, PizzaExpress’ future leaders will go through a 3-year programme to give them everything they need to become a General Manager and beyond at one of the brand’s pizzerias.
All applications for the programme are being submitted via Vizzy, the platform which is reinventing the CV “to see talent like never before”. PizzaExpress is the first hospitality business to have partnered with Vizzy, which provides the chance for applicants to bring their personality to life through its interactive, personalised digital pinboard consisting of videos, infographics, insights and images. Presented in a digestible and digital format, candidates can share their aspirations, ambitions, industry knowledge, skills and expertise on their bespoke profile.
Whether it be for a pizzaiolo, General Manager or front of house role, there remains one consistency across PizzaExpress which matches Vizzy’s USP – it is in the business of connection and celebration. PizzaExpress is about more than just delivering mouth- watering pizzas, pastas and Dough Balls – it is a place full of inclusive teams where all personalities are encouraged, bringing joy through delicious food and drink and great music every day, every time.
The leavers programme is only one of the hundreds of initiatives from PizzaExpress, including its upcoming General Manager campaign due later this year with applications also through Vizzy. In a sector centred on people, buzz and enjoyment, partnering with Vizzy allows PizzaExpress to mirror this in the application process.
Kate Hetherington, chief people officer at PizzaExpress said: “We are excited to have launched our School and College Leavers Programme and Vizzy is the perfect partner to help us find our future leaders. We have incredible stories of progression at PizzaExpress with many people having grown through the business.
“Our teams are the heartbeat of our business and during the application process, there is nothing more important than getting to the heart of each personality and understanding what makes them tick, thrive and triumph. We are always on the lookout for people with flair and passion for our brand.”
Jess Woodward-Jones, co-founder of Vizzy said: “We are delighted to partner with our first hospitality business and where better to start than with PizzaExpress, a brand that everyone knows and loves. Vizzy’s mission is to help candidates express who they are to future employers in a way suited to 2024 life. We are delighted to launch in line with PizzaExpress’ brilliant School and College Leavers Programme and we look forward to growing our partnership going forward.”
