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National Apprenticeship Week launched by Minister for Skills at Nestlé York

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Nick Boles MP, Minister of State for Skills, paid a visit to Nestlé York today to officially launch National Apprenticeship Week.

During the visit the Minister toured the KitKat factory and met Louis Phillips, Food Operations Apprentice as well as Fran Igoe, Engineering Apprentice. He also tried his hand at engineering tasks to get a taste of what it is like to be a modern apprentice.

Nestlé York, the home of iconic brands KitKat, Aero and Polo, is one of the city’s biggest employers.

Nestlé has been offering apprenticeships for more than 55 years across a wide range of functions including commercial and technical.

There are currently 146 apprentices within the organisation with 25 based at the York factory and a further 17 within the head office at the same site.

Investing in the talent pipeline is imperative for Nestlé given that half of the food and drink sector’s current workforce is due to retire in the next two decades.

This year, Nestlé will recruit at least 65 apprentices across seven factory sites and its two head offices including 12 apprentices at the York factory and 18 in its York head office.

Nick Boles MP, Minister of State for Skills said:

“Whether it’s cutting-edge engineering or producing the latest chocolate bar, Nestlé are offering young people their big break with an apprenticeship.

“Apprenticeships really can take you anywhere. That’s why we are joining forces with businesses across the country to create 3 million apprenticeships by 2020.”

Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said:

“Now is the time for more young people to consider apprenticeships as a route into a successful and rewarding career and for more businesses to get on board and reap the benefits.

“Nestlé are offering the best start to enable young people to get the skills they need for a great job, not only with apprenticeships but with work experience and traineeships.

“Any work experience is good experience.  It helps people work out what they want to do and gain transferable skills, like time management, team work and good communication which all employers look for.

Dame Fiona Kendrick, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé UK & Ireland said:

“Investment in people and technology is vital to boost productivity and apprenticeships are absolutely key to that. We need a skilled, dynamic workforce and apprenticeships are the perfect way to make sure of that while at the same time offering a fantastic opportunity to start a new career.”

Nestlé will follow Nick Boles’ visit with a packed skills week that will see Nestlé’s current apprentices sharing their experiences at school visits, career fairs to give students a clear overview of the opportunities that exist. Nestlé’s Senior Factory Managers will also be going back to the floor to shadow apprentices and offer support and career coaching.

Applications are now open at several Nestlé factories for apprenticeships with more opening throughout the year. For full details of how to apply go to www.nestleacademy.co.uk

ENDS

For further information please contact the Nestlé Press Office on 0208 667 6005 or email [email protected]

Notes to editors:

Nestlé apprenticeship key facts:

- Nestlé has been offering apprenticeships for over 55 years across a wide range of functions including both commercial and technical areas
- Nestlé is a co-founder of the ground-breaking Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, working in partnership with the CMI and Sheffield Hallam University
- The company currently have 146 apprentices within its business – 25 of those apprentices are within York factory and a further 17 apprentices are within York head office.
- This year (2016) Nestlé will recruit a further 65 apprentices across 7 factory sites and its 2 head office sites – this will include 12 Chartered Manager Degree Apprentices. 
- In 2015 Nestlé broadened out the apprenticeship opportunities to include IT and Confectionery and this year the company will be recruiting 6 supply chain apprentices for its business based in York.
- A Nestlé apprenticeship provides young people with the opportunity to build a career for life –  Nestlé is creating its business leaders of tomorrow
- By promoting STEM subjects businesses can help attract a wider talent pool.
- Nestlé is committed to providing real jobs for young people through a range of initiatives. In 2013 it launched the Youth Employment Initiative and committed to offer at least 1,900 employment opportunities for young people by 2016. Nestlé is on track to meet this commitment and as of end of February 2016 have created almost 1,450 employment opportunities for graduates, apprenticeships, interns, placements and work experience.
- Last week Nestlé won the Insider Made in Yorkshire Manufacturing Apprenticeship/Training Scheme award and now progress to the Made in the UK final in July.