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Nestlé supports National Apprenticeship week

Nestlé UK and Ireland Group HR Director, Matt Stripe and Nestlé Confectionery Managing Director Ciaran Sullivan are going back to the factory floor as part of National Apprenticeship Week  (11 – 15 March 2013).

Ciaran will be shadowing apprentice Matt Tarn at the York factory on Monday 11th March while Matt will be shadowing Nestlé apprentice Nicole Chamberlain on Thursday 14th March at the company’s Fawdon factory to raise awareness of the vast range of opportunities open to apprentices.  The event will also be supported by Factory Managers who will also shadow apprentices during the week across Nestle UK sites.

Apprentice Matt Tarn and Managing director, Ciaran Sullivan
National Apprenticeship Week: Apprentice Matt Tarn and Managing director, Ciaran Sullivan at York Factory.

Nestlé has been providing apprenticeships for more than 40 years, giving young people a chance to earn while they learn. The scheme involves a mix of academic study with local colleges and practical on the job work experience supported by coaching from experienced employees together with technical training and the opportunity to work on real business projects.

Matt Stripe said: “At Nestlé we believe that recruiting the best people for our business is key to our continued success which is why we launched the Nestlé Academy which offers flexible entry points to attract people at different stages of their life and seeks to provide varied career development routes through our organisation.  Apprenticeships are one of the great opportunities we offer.”

In 2011 Nestlé launched its Confectionery Academy specifically aimed at developing the next generation of confectioners. In the first year 15 people completed this achieving a Level 3 NVQ qualification in Proficiency in Food Industry Skills while the 2012 intake started on a brand new qualification, a Level 3 Diploma in Confectionery Technology.

Matt added: “In 2012 we took on 18 new apprentices bringing our total to 53 working right across our business and this year we will take on a further 10-12 engineering apprentices as well as launching a new school leaver program aimed at post A level students who choose not to or can’t afford to go to university.  By end of 2013 we hope to have 59 apprentices working across our business.”

Nestlé is also working closely with the FDF on promoting the food industry at the Big Bang fair for young students at Excel from 13th-15th March where Nestlé apprentices will be on hand to tell young people what it’s like to be an engineer at the world’s biggest food company and how they use their skills to make some of Britain’s best-loved brands. The stand will also feature a Bosch robot that  will rapidly create visitors names out of two-finger Kit Kats, demonstrating how cutting-edge robotics and automation are used in food and drink manufacturing.

Applications are now open at several Nestlé factories for apprenticeships with more opening throughout the year. For full details of how to apply and closing dates please go to www.nestlecareers.co.uk and click on the Academy page.

Editors’s note:

National Apprentice Week

  • York:
    Ciaran Sullivan, Managing Director Nestlé Confectionery will shadow apprentice Matt on Monday 11th March. First year apprentices  Frank Igoe and Sara-Jane Barker will also attend an open evening at York College on 14th March to share their experiences with students thinking about apprenticeships.
  • Fawdon:
    Group HR Director Matt Stripe will shadow Nicole Chamberlain and Factory Manager Howard Baker will also shadow an apprentice on Thursday 14th March. All Fawdon apprentices will also get the chance to spend a week with electrical supplier Eriks to gain electrical skills and promote apprenticeships to local suppliers
  • Dalston:
    All the Factory Leadership team are going back to the floor with apprentices including Factory Manager Martin Scott

For further information please contact the Nestlé Press Office on 0208 667 6005.