Industry embraces Apprenticeship Week

Food manufacturer Mars UK, which invests £1 million annually into its own apprenticeships schemes, is recruiting 28 apprentices this year to work across six facilities in the UK.

If you are really passionate about learning practical skills and you are a hands-on person, an apprenticeship scheme is a great choice

Former Mars UK apprentice Kate Baxter

Julie Digby, vice president of human resources, UK Chocolate & Global Retail, said: “Our apprentices range from school leavers to those with several years of work experience.

“What they all have in common is a keenness to develop themselves both personally and professionally and we support them to gain both the technical and softer skills they need to succeed in the workplace.”

Mars UK, which currently employs 52 apprentices, also manufactures pet food.

Kate Baxter, a former apprentice and current engineer at Mars Petcare’s site in Melton Mowbray, said: “If you are really passionate about learning practical skills and you are a hands-on person, an apprenticeship scheme is a great choice.

“It isn’t about gender. The keys to success are curiosity, an inquisitive mind and practical thinking.”

Meanwhile, Nestlé, which manufactures confectionary products such as KitKat and Aero, currently employs 146 apprentices throughout the UK.

This year the company is recruiting at least 65 apprentices, who will work across its two head offices and seven factory sites.

Fiona Kendrick, chief executive officer of 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.”

The UK nuclear industry, meanwhile, is also embracing National Apprenticeship Week, and is exhibiting at this year’s Big Bang Fair, a celebration of the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) sectors, which is aimed at young people and held at the Birmingham NEC, 16-19 March.

Nuclear Industry Association chief executive Tom Greatrex said: “The UK’s nuclear industry is set to expand at a rapid rate and the school children of today are tomorrow’s engineers.

"Apprenticeships offer an almost unrivalled opportunity for school leavers and I would urge anyone interested in a demanding but rewarding career to explore the employment avenues open to them in the nuclear industry."

Raising awareness is key - almost three quarters of manufacturers say that greater awareness of apprenticeships would encourage more young people into manufacturing

Verity O'Keefe, EEF employment and skills policy adviser

Likewise, food and drink manufacturers will come together at this year’s Big Bang Fair to inspire more young people to consider careers in the sector.

Members of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) will be at the event offering a range of interactive activities to promote STEM careers.

“Our stand is intended to stimulate interest in the fantastic range of career opportunities available in food and drink manufacturing and inspire the engineers of the future,” said Tim Rycroft, corporate affairs director at the FDF.

Yet despite the manufacturing sector’s long-running commitment to high quality apprenticeships, Verity O’Keefe, employment and skills policy adviser at manufacturers’ organisation EEF, said a lack of awareness could mean both young people and their would-be employers risk losing out.

“Raising awareness is key - almost three quarters of manufacturers say that greater awareness of apprenticeships would encourage more young people into manufacturing,” O’Keefe said in a blog post on Monday.

“National Apprenticeship Week has a vital role to play in this and our sector is backing it every step of the way.”

Misperceptions

However, apprentices at infrastructure services company Aecom suggested misperceptions that apprenticeships are an inferior route to industry are the biggest barriers to attracting good candidates.

In a recent survey of 200 Aecom apprentices, 23% said a lack of information and awareness about the benefits of apprenticeships in schools is the biggest obstacle, while 21% said a lack of availability of apprenticeships is the main challenge.

Paul McCormick, managing director, transportation, UK & Ireland and Continental Europe, AECOM, said: “I began my career as an apprentice more than three decades ago, so I know first-hand that apprenticeships are a proven, viable route into the infrastructure and built environment sector.

“More needs to be done, however, to convince good candidates that apprenticeships offer a meaningful and rewarding career path, including sponsorship for a part-time degree at a later date."