Helping young people to work

YOUNG unemployed people got the chance to gain the skills they need to get back into work at Greencore Prepared Meals in Kiveton recently.

Greencore was taking part in the national Feeding Britain’s Future campaign, which has united the entire food and grocery industry in an effort to tackle youth unemployment.

Across the country the company opening the doors of 13 of its 16 sites, offering up to 600 places for young people to get involved.

Working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, local youngsters got to try a range of activities at the Kiveton site to help them develop their employability skills and improve their chances of getting a job.

As well as being able to meet a large local employer, the youngsters had a presentation on the types of jobs that the food industry has to offer and a question and answer session with employees at the site.

They also got to hone their job hunting skills with CV training and tips on interview techniques.

Feeding Britain’s Future is the first initiative of its kind, giving young people access to farms, factories and stores, and firsthand knowledge of the skills needed for a career in the food industry or elsewhere.

Greencore Group chief executive Patrick Coveney said: “Greencore is delighted to be working alongside the IGD and our peers within the industry on the Feeding Britain’s Future initiative.”

“It is important that we all play our part in addressing the challenge that faces young people in the UK today.”

Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of IGD - the food and grocery experts- added: “The food and grocery industry is the UK’s biggest employer and we’re committed to playing our part in tackling youth unemployment.”

“We’ve consulted both businesses and young people to identify where the skills gaps lie and what the barriers to employment are.”

“We hope the development opportunities on offer will help the young unemployed on the journey towards finding a job.”

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