Kraft Foods has announced plans to double the number of apprentices it employs in the UK and Ireland.

Kraft currently employs 36 apprentices and hopes to increase this number by 50% by the end of 2012.

The fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company announced last weekend that it aims to engage 2% of its workforce on apprenticeships by the end of 2011.

Alan Lewis, head of engineering at Kraft Food UK & Ireland, told HR Magazine that the company has a long tradition of employing apprentices at its UK and Ireland sites.

Mr Lewis said: “The importance of apprentices to our business has been recognised through our appearance in the first ever Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, supported by The National Apprenticeship Service and City & Guilds. This is an exciting new initiative that recognises excellence in businesses employing apprentices, and for us as a business it is an outstanding achievement.

“Apprenticeships ensure that our workforce has the practical skills and qualifications the business needs, and at Kraft Foods, training for our apprentices includes a mix of on and off the job learning.”

Kraft’s decision to develop an in-house apprentice training scheme to ensure it receives a steady stream of skilled recruits follows a number of similar schemes being set up by large companies including Nestle and Virgin Media.

Posted by Beth O’Shea

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