Food firms miss recruitment chance: Nestle Apprentice

04-Apr-2012 - Last updated on 18-Jul-2024 at 14:08 GMT

Food and drink manufacturers are missing out on recruiting young talent by failing to promote their industry in schools and colleges, Nestlé apprentice Sam Richards told the HR Forum at trade event Foodex, staged at the NEC.

“The industry should visit schools and sixth form colleges to tell young people what exciting roles are available in the sector,” he said. No teacher or career adviser had ever mentioned the possibility of working in the sector to him.

But working as an engineering apprentice with Nestlé was both rewarding and enjoyable, he said. “I’m learning something new every day. It’s exciting and I really feel part of a team.”

The HR Forum, organised by FoodManufacture.co.uk’s sister title Food Manufacture, took place on March 26.

Young people

For more video news on how food and drink manufacturers are planning to raise their profile with young people, click here.

For a video summary of the event from the HR Forum chairman Jack Matthews, click here.

To read comments on the industry’s reliance on migrant workers, click here and for more text news from the event here.

View hundreds of top jobs in food and drink manufacturing, from the shop floor to the board room, by visiting Foodmanjobs by clicking here.