Nestlé UK and Ireland Group HR Director, Matt Stripe is going back to the factory floor as part of National Apprenticeship Week (6 – 10 February 2012).
Matt will be shadowing Nestlé apprentice Tom Bamber on Monday at the company’s York factory to raise awareness of the vast range of opportunities open to apprentices. He will be supported by Factory Managers at Dalston in Cumbria and Tutbury, Derbyshire who will also shadow apprentices during the week.
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 at the end of last year. The Nestlé Academy 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.”
“Our aim is to double our apprentice numbers by the end of 2012 and continue to broaden our existing apprenticeship programme to offer opportunities across a range of different functions including HR, Supply Chain and Finance. Last year we took on 14 new apprentices bringing our total to 50 working right across our business.”
Nestlé is supporting the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) pledge to double the number of apprentices working in the food and drink industry by the end of 2012 and aims to have 100 apprentices working across the business by the end of the year. The company is also working closely with the FDF on their Taste Success careers campaign, including promoting the industry at the Big Bang fair for young students at the NEC in March where some of the York apprentices have been designing a 4m tall Smartie® Fountain for the stand.
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’ note:
National Apprentice Week
- Factory Manager Martin Scott with shadow apprentice Jake Shaw at Nestle Dalston on Thursday 9th February
- Factory Manager Gavin Burton will shadow apprentice Paul Jackson at Nestlé Tutbury on Friday 10th February
- Former apprentices currently working at the Tutbury factory will attend the Apprentice Open Evening at Derby College on Tuesday 7th February to talk about their experiences as an apprentice and explain the recruitment process.
About Nestlé in the UK & Ireland
Nestlé UK and Ireland has approximately 7,000 employees across 19 sites and comprises: Nestlé UK (Food & Beverage, Confectionery and Food Services), Nestlé Ireland, Nestlé Purina Petcare, Nestlé Waters, Nestlé Nutrition, Jenny Craig, Nespresso, Cereal Partners UK (a joint venture with General Mills), Lactalis-Nestlé Chilled Dairy (a joint venture with Lactalis).In the UK, the company manufactures some of Nestlé’s most popular and iconic brands, including KIT KAT® confectionery (the UK’s No 1 selling biscuit), QUALITY STREET® confectionery, NESCAFÉ® soluble coffee, SHREDDED WHEAT® cereal, BUXTON® water, NESTLÉ® PURE LIFE® water, SKI® yoghurt and BAKERS and FELIX® petfood.
For further information please contact the Nestlé Press Office on 0208 667 6005.