Needs must: apprenticeships – a core pillar of a talent strategy
In the fast-paced world of the food and drink business, finding exceptional talent and fostering their development is a key ingredient for success.
With the blend of practical experience and skill development, apprenticeships offer a win-win.
National Apprenticeship Week is taking place this week from 5 to 11 February 2024. It brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships to celebrate the value, benefit and opportunity that they bring. This year’s theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is “Skills for Life”.
Apprenticeships offer just that. The ability to build an effective robust talent pipeline according to need via a one-of-a-kind experience that has the potential for organisations to reach new heights.
Just over the last week, we have received news of how Bakkavor’s apprenticeship programmes establishes a practical learning environment.
Those participating in such an apprenticeship learn of the beauty of a programme – the compulsion to closely examine and understand the fundamental operations of a company. This is actually a key benefit as this sort of education for employees means ensuring best practices and knowledge are preserved within the organisation, which in turn creates a perfect succession plan for when those in senior positions move on.
By creating an inclusive apprenticeship programme, which is diverse in terms of the roles and responsibilities it offers, employers can develop a workforce tailored to their business needs and add another means to business growth.
Growing our own talent through apprenticeships is the key to future proofing food and drink businesses. By building a workforce and equipping it with skills in specialist roles where the pipeline of available talent is sparse could prevent organisations from having to hire new and less experienced team members further down the line.
What’s more, engaging the workforce in training early on in their careers also encourages their growth into more senior positions.
For organisations looking to diversify their workforce and create dynamic leaders of the future, apprenticeships set individuals on the right path. Regardless of the size of an organisation, apprenticeship programmes can help businesses grow and excel. Apprentices, too, bring with them fresh ideas and new ways of thinking, while also benefiting from a great way to climb the career ladder.
- Rodney Jack, editor, Food & Drink Technology.
Keep in touch via email: rodney@bellpublishing.com Twitter: @foodanddrinktec or LinkedIn: Food & Drink Technology magazine.
