As part of the nationwide Feeding Britain’s Future campaign, Greencore is going into local schools to offer pupils skills training for when they enter the world of work, as well as providing insight into the opportunities available within the food and grocery industry.
A total of 22 companies, including retailers and manufacturers from the industry are working together for the first time to visit 13 schools in the Nottingham area. The companies will be running dynamic sessions for Year 9 and Year 12 pupils to teach them vital skills and help them to think creatively about their futures. The pupils will also gain a new perspective on the food and grocery industry.
Careers advisers and teachers will also be involved in the sessions so that they are better placed to provide informed advice to pupils about the industry and opportunities available to them.
Recent findings from IGD – the food and grocery research and training charity of which Greencore is a member – suggest Britain’s unemployed believe tailored advice should be made available in schools. Such advice would help young people better understand the variety of jobs available and what might suit them personally, as well as how to apply for openings.
The ‘School Pilot’ is a new element to this year’s Feeding Britain’s Future campaign which sees the entire food and grocery industry come together to tackle unemployment by providing free skills training for thousands of young unemployed people. This training includes CV and interview sessions with HR managers as well as workshops to improve soft skills and the chance to see how businesses are run and the range of careers available.
Led by IGD, Feeding Britain’s Future is the first initiative of its kind, giving young people access to farms, factories and stores, and first-hand knowledge of the skills needed for a career in the food industry or elsewhere. Since 2012, more than 200 companies have offered 25,000 training opportunities across the UK as part of the campaign.
Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive, IGD, said:
“Our campaign is all about inspiring young people to consider the food and grocery industry as a career path by enhancing the information available through schools. The new ‘School Pilot’ element of the campaign not only gives companies the opportunity to inspire pupils on the variety of skills and opportunities our industry has to offer, but to also equip the next generation with the skills they need to find work.
Nottingham has been selected as this year’s pilot city though we have ambitious plans to roll this out across the country in future. We are so pleased at the support of many of our members, working to make a positive impact on the lives and future of young people in the UK.”
Any young people or companies that would like to take part in Feeding Britain’s Future should visit www.igd.com/feedingbritainsfuture
