June 21, 2021
Ornua Foods UK, the major supplier of cheese and butter based in Leek, is set to support local youths adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic by assisting them in kickstarting their career. Through participation in the UK government’s new Kickstart Initiative, Ornua Foods UK will offer six unemployed youths a paid six month placement, giving them the necessary skills and experience to begin an exciting career in the food industry.
The Kickstart Initiative is a government-led programme that helps those aged 16-24, currently on universal credits, gain experience in the workplace helping them take their first steps onto the career ladder. By partnering with the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink, Ornua Foods UK is looking to shine a light on a variety of roles, including sales, marketing, procurement, operations, supply chain, technical, finance and HR, within their Leek cheese packaging facility. Completing 25 hours per week, participants will achieve six months of paid work experience, while also gaining a variety of additional qualifications such as Food Safety Level 2, HACCP Level 2, Health and Safety and Allergen Awareness, as well as placement specific training to help support them in their career.
Ornua Foods UK has been present in Leek for nearly 100 years and is committed to playing a key role in the local community. Kate Taylor, Employer Brand & Engagement Coordinator at Ornua Foods UK commented, “Over the past number of years, we have been working closely with local schools to showcase the variety of roles at Ornua Food UK, breaking the stigma that we ‘just pack cheese’. While we do pack cheese, it requires a large number of varied roles to make this possible and these exciting career opportunities are available in what we believe is the most advanced facility of its type in Europe. We are looking forward to welcoming a selection of youths to not only help them onto the career ladder but to also give them an insight into the world of food and drink – an industry that has seen phenomenal growth during the global pandemic.”
The National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD) is acting as a gateway organisation that is working with many of the major names in the food and drink sector to create a well-rounded experience that includes a variety of qualifications. Alongside this, the NSAFD is partnering with Youth Employment UK who will support all ‘Kickstarters’ by equipping them with the essential skills to succeed in the workplace.
To find out more about the variety of roles available, reach out to your jobs coach at your local JobCentre Plus.