For the first time ever, teachers from schools in York, Dalston and Fawdon will leave their classrooms to get a taste of what a modern apprenticeship is really like by spending a day shadowing young people at Nestlé factories as part of the company’s support for National Apprenticeship Week (9-13 March).
This follows research commissioned by Nestlé UK in 2014 which revealed that the majority of UK businesses feel that there are not enough young people studying maths and science to meet the future demand. Also the majority of young people, and their teachers and tutors, do not know what STEM-related businesses are looking for in new recruits.
These visits form part of a packed skills week, which will also see Nestlé’s Senior Factory Managers going back to the floor and shadowing apprentices offering their support and career coaching.
Nestlé apprentices will also take part in a Twitter Q&A throughout the week sharing their experiences of life in the world’s biggest food company and how they use their skills to make some of Britain’s best-loved brands.
Nestlé UK & Ireland Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dame Fiona Kendrick said:
“Apprenticeships are an absolutely critical part of the Academy programme and we have been offering them to young people for over 45 years. We are committed to leadership in this area, having doubled the number of apprenticeships we offer in the last twelve months. As part of our strategy to build the business it is vital we have a skilled and dynamic workforce and apprenticeships provide the perfect recruitment model and an unbeatable opportunity to start a new career”.
As part of Nestlé’s Youth Employment Initiative to provide 1,900 job opportunities to young people by 2016, the Company is recruiting 50 apprentices in 2015 and are extending schemes to food manufacturing and operations as well as broadening apprenticeships out to include supply chain and IT.
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
Editor’s notes:
Nestlé Apprenticeship offering:
• Nestle is committed to providing real jobs for young people through a range of initiatives including Apprenticeships.
• Nestlé has currently 90 apprentices working across the business with plans to recruit further 50 apprentices in 2015 broadening out the apprenticeship opportunities to include supply chain and IT for the first time.
• Nestlé apprenticeships are diverse in nature – ranging from Engineering to Food Manufacturing.
• All of Nestlé’s apprentices are recruited in to the business on a permanent basis and continue to work after their apprenticeship programme.
• All of Nestlé apprentices have a coach and mentor. They are given business critical projects that allow them to develop skills and understand the benefits of cost reduction and improvements to processes.
• Nestlé is playing an integral role in shaping the skills frameworks for tomorrow’s apprentices through its involvement with the Trailblazers initiatives.
• In November 2013, Nestlé announced the launch of the European Youth Employment Initiative, a commitment to helping at least 20,000 people across Europe under the age of 30 find employment by 2016; 1900 of these opportunities will be in the UK & Ireland – apprenticeship are a big part of this.
For further information please contact the Nestlé Press Office on 0208 667 6005 or email [email protected]