News article

23 August 2012

GCSE results day: Apprenticeships - a great route into food and drink!

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PRESS RELEASE

Not sure about the uni route? Worried about how you'll pay to get a degree?

Then why not consider doing an apprenticeship with some of the world's most loved food and drink brands? Food and drink is the UK's largest manufacturing sector and has got loads to offer!

Apprenticeships can be a fantastic route into the food industry and are offered in a wide variety of roles including engineering, technical roles, food science and management.

Enabling you to earn whilst you learn, apprenticeships give you an invaluable opportunity to gain experience, which will be vital when you look to secure a permanent role. Pay and prospects are good, with many employers paying you up to £15,000 a year whilst helping you gain the qualifications you need.

The UK food and drink manufacturing industry is very supportive of apprenticeships and has pledged to double the number in the sector by the end of 2012, meaning that you can expect to see even more opportunities coming through.

The food and drink manufacturing sector needs around 137,000 new recruits by 2017 to maintain its position as a world-class industry and so is keen to tell you about the great career prospects it has to offer. You could be working on the creation of a new breakfast cereal, developing a new flavor of ice-cream or helping companies look after the environment – the opportunities are endless!

For more on careers in food and drink manufacturing, check out the 'Taste Success – A Future in Food' campaign. Run by the industry, the campaign aims to highlight the wide range of exciting job opportunities available in highly skilled and well-paid professions such as engineering and food science.

Nicki Hunt, spokesperson for the Taste Success campaign, said:

“The UK's food and drink manufacturing sector is incredibly successful, producing some of the world's most famous brands. Food and drink companies are keen to get fresh, new talent on board, and there are loads of opportunities and entry points wherever you are in your training.”

Lydia Cebreiro, Recruitment Coordinator - Nestlé UK & Ireland, said:

“The Nestlé Apprenticeship Programme provided me with an incredible opportunity to learn while I earned and to gain experience by working for the World's largest food manufacturer.”

Calum Marnock, Confectionery Apprentice at Kraft UK, said:

“If you want an interesting career, to understand how manufacturing works and be hands on, this is definitely the career for you. It is also a great way to build up confidence and experience. I believe an apprenticeship is the best way to start your career.”

Note to Editors

  1. Taste Success – A Future in Food' is a careers campaign run by the voice of UK food and drink manufacturers, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) in partnership with the food and drink skills council Improve and the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST). The campaign aims to raise awareness of careers in the food and drink manufacturing industry. For further information, please visit: www.tastesuccess.co.uk.

More information

Nicki Hunt on or 020 7420 7132 - nicki.hunt@fdf.org.uk
Rebecca Wilhelm or 020 7420 7140 - rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk

Avni Raval or 020 7420 7131 - Avni.Raval@fdf.org.uk

Anna Taylor or 020 7420 7118 - anna.taylor@fdf.org.uk

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