To mark National Apprenticeship Week, apprentices across Premier Foods manufacturing sites are offering advice to other young people who may be considering this option.

The Company now employs almost 30 apprentices working towards qualifications in mechanical, electrical and multi-skilled engineering.



Premier Foods has interviewed 15 of their apprentices, across a range of sites, who shared some of the lessons they've learnt whilst training:

1. Think long term - As well as thinking about the role in question, also consider what doing an apprenticeship can mean for the long term. An apprenticeship can open up a world of opportunities which may seem otherwise closed. These involve certificates, BTEC diplomas, NVQs and even a University degree. Think of the future and think big!

2. Keep an open mind - There may be an area you're currently interested in, but remember, you're likely to do different jobs and work on lots of different projects before qualifying. This gives you a great opportunity to get broad experience at a number of different things. You never know, you might find another path more interesting that you'd have never have thought of before, and there's plenty of time to specialise down the line.

3. Make the most of opportunities to develop - As well as learning important technical skills, you should use your apprenticeship to build on personal attributes, such as increasing confidence, influencing people, and working in teams, all of which are important skills in both the working world and everyday life.

4. Recognise your importance in the company- It's never easy to be the 'new guy' but remember, companies invest time and money into their apprenticeship schemes. All good businesses recognise how vital it is to draw in and train new talent. It's as much in the company's interests as your own to ensure you do well, so be confident and keep in mind the importance of your position within the company.

5. Don't underestimate how exciting the food sector can be - Food and drink represents the biggest manufacturing sector in the UK - more than automobiles and aerospace combined. It's a hugely exciting sector to work in and offers young people a career full of variety and promise. Food brands - particularly the ones we work on like Oxo, Mr Kipling and Ambrosia, are a part of everyone's lives and it's incredibly interesting to see how it all gets made behind the scenes. Apprenticeships enable young people to learn a new skill and acquire a respected qualification that can help forge a successful career. Premier Foods is supporting National Apprenticeship Week and the drive to recruit talented young people to the food industry, particularly the budding engineers of the future.

David Wilkinson, Human Resources Director, Premier Foods, says: "High quality engineering talent is critical to helping us drive the rate of innovation we need for the future, and we continue to invest behind our apprenticeship scheme. Apprenticeships are an excellent foundation for young people as they enable them to start working and earning a decent wage whilst learning important skills and gaining valuable qualifications in the process."

Premier Foods plc published this content on 03 March 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 03 March 2017 10:28:11 UTC.

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