Premier Foods the next firm to commit to doubling apprentices

The pledge makes Premier Foods the second food manufacturer to commit to the move this week, after Nestlé announced similar plans​ to mark National Apprenticeship Week. 

Premier said it was stepping up its efforts in response to a likely national shortage of high quality engineering talent in the coming years.

It took on 10 new apprentices in 2014, more than doubling its intake compared to the previous year.

It claimed it would take on similar numbers in 2015 and 2016, increasing the total number of new apprenticeships to around 30 by 2016.

Dependence on apprentices ​

David Wilkinson, human resources director at Premier Foods, said: “We need to continue to bring new food products to the market every year. This depends on high quality manufacturing technology and expertise. We find apprenticeships the best way to develop the engineering skills we need as they enable people to learn on the job as well as studying for a valuable qualification.”​

Local MP John Mann praised Premier Foods’s Worksop site for giving youngsters the opportunity to gain valuable qualifications to help get a well-paid job in engineering.

Meanwhile, London mayor Boris Johnson visited apprentices at New England Seafood on March 9.

The firm has taken on 12 apprentices since 2012, five of which have taken on full-time roles.

Johnson confirmed plans for a £1.8M scheme to create more than 3,500 apprenticeships in London.