Apprenticeships are the Way Forward says Deeside snack maker Calbee UK

Local Snack Manufacturing Company is leading the way with the delivery of a huge skills investment initiative to help address the current skills shortages for Food Industry workers in the local area.

In very close partnership with Cambria for Business, Calbee UK, who make great-tasting, innovative savoury snacks, have so far offered over 20 of their colleagues at their factory in Deeside the opportunity to gain the nationally recognised qualification in Food Manufacturing Excellence.

Calbee’s HR Business Partner, Mags Kerns, explains,

“we have to look for innovative ways to address the shortage of people with food manufacturing skills in our local area, and being able to offer out apprenticeship opportunities, at all levels of the business, is a really positive solution.  It means that we can focus on recruiting people with the right attitude for us here at Calbee, like energy, enthusiasm, a strong-work ethic and a genuine desire to do a good job, and having welcomed new recruits on board, we can then up-skill from within – so a win-win for everyone involved.”

Mags also adds, “there are so many benefits to our business of offering the apprenticeships, such as attracting and retaining top talent who feel valued and motivated.  It’s also means that we have a very strong skills-set throughout our factory which will undoubtedly be of huge benefit to us as we embark on our ambitions plans for expansion and growth throughout 2018 and beyond”.

Becky Parry, Production Colleague and Level 2 Apprentice at Calbee says,

“I chose to go into work when I left school rather than study at college, so being able to gain qualifications whilst working is perfect for me.  I’m learning so much and I hope it will help me progress my career here at Calbee”