The importance of taking the initiative and staying focused were the top two tips from Jordan, offered ahead of National Apprenticeship Week 2016, which takes place between March 14 to 18.
Based on his four-year multi-skilled engineering apprentice at the Mr Kipling bakery in Carlton, Barnsley, Biggs decided to pass on some of what he’s learned during his time at Premier Foods to help new starters.
‘It’s up to you to show you’re capable’
“It’s up to you to show you’re capable of doing the work, that you’re keen to learn a broad range of skills, and looking for responsibility and opportunities to progress,” Jordan advised new starters.
“Some apprentices I know have managed teams and been in charge of machinery upgrades worth thousands – it’s incredibly rewarding!”
Keep focused to develop your apprenticeship into a career, said Jordan. “Companies invest time and money into their apprenticeship schemes, so if you do well, and prove yourself a valuable member of the team who goes beyond ‘just doing the job’, in most cases there’ll be full time employment after the end of the training.
Biggs’s other top tips were: Don’t be afraid to ask for help, Be flexible and look for work in food and drink.
“Apprenticeships are all about learning after all. If you’re asking, you’re learning, and making the most of the time and money invested in you. At Premier Foods, each apprentice is assigned a mentor, and they’re a great source of advice and support.”
Big Video Debates at Foodex
Don’t miss Food Manufacture’s Big Video Debate on apprenticeships at the Foodex trade event, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham on Tuesday April 19, between 11.30am and 12.30pm. Taking part in the panel discussion – Apprenticeships: plugging the skills gap – will be a range of industry experts. Speakers include: Jon Poole, ceo, Institute of Food Science & Technology and Janette Graham, group technical learning and development manager at 2 Sisters Food Group and former apprentice Sam Higginson, now with Marks & Spencer. For more information, email Mike Stones.
A flexible approach to work reflected the need to do different jobs and work on lots of different equipment before qualifying. “Being an apprentice is the best time to get broad experience, as there’s plenty of time to specialise down the line.”
‘I never realised’
Finally, he advised youngster to look for work in food and drink manufacturing. “I never realised how high tech the food industry can be,” said Biggs.
“For example, at Carlton I help operate and maintain one of the fastest and most modern production lines in Europe, with brands I’ve grown up with and known all my life.”
Premier Foods has pledged to double its intake of apprentices two years ago. It now employed nearly 30 young people working towards qualification as mechanical, electrical and multi-skilled engineers.
Premier Foods, human resources director, David Wilkinson, said: “We need expertise in maintaining our complex manufacturing technology to help us bring innovative products to market which meet the changing needs of our consumers. And with a shortage of engineers in our sector, we need to ensure more young people are getting into this field.”
Apprenticeships were the best way to develop the expertise the manufacturer needed, as they enabled colleagues to earn while they learn and gain a valuable qualification, he said.
“Premier Foods is supporting National Apprenticeship Week and the drive to recruit talented young people to the food industry, particularly the budding engineers of the future,” said the firm.
Five top tips for apprentices
- Take the initiative. “It’s up to you to show you’re capable of doing the work, that you’re keen to learn a broad range of skills, and looking for responsibility and opportunities to progress.”
- Keep focused. “If you do well, and prove yourself a valuable member of the team who goes beyond ‘just doing the job’, in most cases there’ll be full time employment after the end of the training.”
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “If you’re asking, you’re learning, and making the most of the time and money invested in you.”
- Be flexible.“Being an apprentice is the best time to get broad experience, as there’s plenty of time to specialise down the line.”
- Work in the food and drink sector. “I never realised how high tech the food industry can be.”
Source: Jordan Biggs, Premier Foods apprentice