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Jones Village Bakery on the hunt for 20 apprentices
The recruitment campaign is spearheaded by managers Tom Breeze and Jac Griffiths, along with trainee product developer Tilly Squire – three ‘home-grown’ talents who all began their careers with the baker straight from school.
Village Bakery’s search apprentice search followed the manufacturer securing a deal to supply a major Australian wholesale and distribution company with three types of American pancakes in a move that created 20 jobs.
Crop of talent
Jac Griffiths, manager of Village Bakery’s flagship site, said: “There’s been a massive growth in the last four or five years and the only way you can do that sustainably and successfully is by having a crop of talent that’s able to rise up the ranks.
Along with bakery apprenticeships, the company is also offering opportunities for engineers, as well as people to work in the commercial and finance departments.
Managing director Robin Jones said: “If we find the right candidates, we can take them on the same journey as Jac, Tom and Tilly who are living proof of what we’re all about – we are looking for more people like them to follow in their footsteps.”
Jones Village Bakery employs more than 800 people and has traditionally had a ‘grow-your-own’ policy where most of its bakery managers and supervisors joined as school leavers and climbed the career ladder.
Apprenticeship reward
Tilly Squire who joined the company nearly three years ago, aged 16, said her hard work was rewarded with a place on the bakery’s apprenticeship scheme, which led to her current role as part of the New Product Development team.
“I really enjoy the hands-on approach, learning about the science and art of baking while we develop and perfect fantastic new products,” she added.
Tom Breeze, manager of the baker’s Minera site, described the secret to the company’s success lied in its investment in people and promoting from within.
“Having had the benefit of a brilliant apprenticeship, I want to see others follow in my footsteps and it’s rewarding for me to see people progress and reach their full potential,” Breeze concluded.
Meanwhile, to mark National Apprentice Week 2024, we heard from Jack Trafford, who started a manufacturing apprenticeship at Nestlé UK & Ireland in Halifax after wanting a career change.
