Suppliers marked this week’s National Apprenticeship Week by highlighting the impact apprenticeships have on people, businesses and the economy.
Premier Foods announced it would extend its 2014/15 commitment to double the intake of apprentices for a further two years. It took on 10 apprentices in 2014, more than doubling its intake versus the previous year, and will take on similar numbers in 2015 and 2016 - increasing the total number of new apprenticeships to about 30 by 2016.
“Innovation is incredibly important to our future growth. We need to continue to bring new food products to the market every year,” said Premier Foods HR director David Wilkinson.
Britvic, meanwhile, said it had offered full-time positions to all of its recent graduating class of apprentices. It has more than two dozen apprentices enrolled over a four-year programme with each apprentice educated to a minimum NVQ level 3 standard.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) employment and now has 29% of the workforce employed in STEM roles.
“Developing the skills of the next generation is crucial, and at Britvic we believe it is key to our continued success,” said Britvic GB & Ireland HR director Sue Skinner.
Bakkavor apprentice Tasha Devey was named by the National Skills Academy as the 2,000th food industry apprentice of 2014 following her completion of the IPQ level 3 diploma in food industry skills.
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