Fresh produce businesses should be more aware of the value of apprentices as a cost-effective recruitment strategy, according to a representative from one leading horticulture college.
Nick Congleton, account manager at Hadlow College, said employers are often more focused on hiring graduates, but apprentices can offer real value and long-term career potential.
He was speaking at the inaugural Fresh Careers Fair, held today (10 March) at the Kia Oval. It aimed to match students, recruiters and colleges with a range of fresh produce employers including suppliers, caterers, wholesalers and further education institutions.
“Apprentices are very cost-effective as you don’t pay them full salaries. The minimum wage for an apprentice is £3.30 an hour for 16-18 year olds, although this goes up when they turn 19,” he said.
Apprentices will be covered by the new National Living Wage after the age of 19, Congleton added, but it will not apply to those under that age.
“Rather than someone coming in with a preconceived idea of how to do something, with an apprentice you can teach them your way of doing things. You effectively get to ‘grow your own’,” he added. “You get someone you trust, who you might then want to train further.”
Hadlow College provides 18-month apprenticeships for both the agriculture and horticulture sectors, and also offers a free vacancy search service to help companies find and recruit suitable apprentices. Hadlow apprentices will also gain a technical certificate and paid-for First Aid training.
The college was exhibiting at the Fresh Careers Fair to meet young people as well as companies that would be interested in taking on an apprentice.
“It’s about reaching out to employers, but it’s also about the young people knowing what the opportunities are. This is why we’re at this event,” Congleton added.
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