Microbrewery trainee scheme serves up six new jobs

The initiative, if approved, would enable people with learning disabilities to gain new skills

An initiative that teaches people with learning disabilities to brew and serve beer inside a working business is being explored by a council.

The microbrewery and taproom business would cost Essex County Council £150,000 to launch and could create six jobs.

It was hoped the work would help people with additional needs to gain skills required in a mainstream workplace.

"All whilst gaining confidence and experience, and whilst being paid," a council statement read.

The enterprise would be a combination of a microbrewery and a taproom serving drinks created in-house.

Its inspiration came from a similar scheme run in London, the Local Democracy Reporting Service wrote, as well as in Norwich.

It would "lead to aspirational, interesting, and sustainable employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities", the council said.

If replicated in Essex, a minimum of 96 hours of employment would be created per week.

Job roles at the business, which the council is yet to announce, would include porters, bar staff and brewing the ales.

"The business shall have a core value of involving and empowering young people and have a deep understanding of the challenges that they experience and how to overcome these," a statement added.