Aldi is supporting 30 young people to undertake a fresh produce apprenticeship this year in partnership with Management Development Services (MDS).
The supermarket, which has worked with MDS since 2016, is investing funds from its Apprenticeship Levy into two new cohorts of students starting in October 2018 and April 2019.
The trainees will develop management and leadership skills while learning the ropes in four different roles across the industry including supply chain, marketing, technical or operations.
Aldi has employed a permanent produce buying assistant from a previous MDS intake, and will take on another this year from among those currently completing the scheme, whose training is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute.
MDS chair Christine Tacon said: “We have worked hard to create a much-needed apprenticeship scheme for the fresh produce industry. Aldi committing its levy to sponsoring 30 more apprentices this year is an outstanding endorsement of the programme.
“The scheme gives the apprentices broad and challenging experiences, and empowering them at this stage in their careers with management and leadership skills will positively impact not only the businesses involved but the wider fresh produce industry. We greatly value the ongoing support and interest Aldi takes in the apprentices throughout their training.”
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: “Collaboration is the best way to grow and share our skills as an industry, and our work with MDS so far is testament to this.
“The strength and breadth of our fresh produce team ensures we’re able to deliver high-quality, fresh food to our customers every day. We’re looking forward to helping the new apprentices find rewarding careers within the retail industry.”
