Nestlé announces youth employment initiative
Nestlé UK and Ireland has announced a new youth employment initiative which will offer 1,900 employment opportunities for young people in England and Ireland
Print15 November 2013
Nestlé UK and Ireland today (15 October) announced it will create 1,900 employment opportunities for young people over the next three years, including 300 paid work experience placements.
The announcement is part of Nestlé’s European Youth Employment initiative that will see more than 600 employment opportunities available each year. The positions will include roles across all areas of the business and at all levels – from operators on the factory floor to field sales assistants and business management.
The programme is hoped will help 20,000 people across Europe under the age of 30 find employment. The scheme will offer 10,000 jobs and creating 10,000 apprentice positions and traineeships by 2016.
The announcement comes as a new Populus study highlights that current work experience programmes are resulting in young people being unable to develop the necessary skills for the workplace.
The study, commissioned by Nestlé, showed that nine out of 10 businesses felt young people left school ill-equipped to start work. While 62% of businesses feel people can only gain the needed experience through work placements, only a third felt they gained anything from offering positions.
The survey also showed that the quality of work experience offered was often not up to par. It showed that only a third of young people were given any training while on the job and only 56% had the opportunity to shadow an employee and learn about the business they were working in.
Nestlé UK & Ireland CEO Fiona Kendrick said: "With youth unemployment steadily rising we all need to play our part in creating opportunities for the next generation. Attracting new talent and investing in future skills is key to the continued success of our business, which is why we are offering school leavers, university students and graduates the chance to gain experience throughout our business."
She added: "Sadly young people in the UK and Ireland are stuck in a catch-22 situation. They can’t get a job without experience, but can’t get experience without a job. Companies need to help young people escape from this trap."
Working with suppliers PMP Recruitment and McCurrach, Nestlé will offer paid work experience within its factories, offices and sales teams to young people in communities close to Nestlé sites. Nestlé is also partnering with social enterprise group MyKindaCrowd to offer skills and employability training to over 12,000 school and college students.
Will Ackerman, managing director of MyKindaCrowd, said: "Nestle’s initiative is leading the way in bringing together businesses and education establishments to provide opportunities for all young people."
In September 2013 Nestlé opened its Fast Start Programme opening up opportunities for A-Level students who may not have seen a degree as an option for them. Participants gain experience by completing six month placements in Nestlé commercial functions while at the same time studying towards a degree in Professional Business Practice at Sheffield Hallam University.
Anyone interested in applying can email NestleNeedsYouth@uk.nestle.com or to find out more visit our website at www.nestleneedsyouth.co.uk.
Related Articles
Lindt Lindor celebrates 75 years with new dark mint flavour →
Huel launches ready-to-drink meals in Ireland →
Centra’s Irish food producers claim 19 awards at this year’s Blas na hÉireann →
Fans 0
Followers