The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has launched a new apprenticeship standard in collaboration with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
The Apprenticeship Trailblazer initiative for maintenance engineering, released today, will simplify the apprenticeship system and create a more robust pipeline of talent for the industry.
The Trailblazer initiative delivers on the industry's current focus on improving the quality of apprenticeships.
BIS skills minister Matthew Hancock said the new apprenticeships will focus on rigorous training for learning and simplicity of use for employers, who will be in the driving seat of apprenticeships in future. “I am very pleased that the food and drink industry has chosen to be at the forefront of our apprenticeship reforms.
“This is great opportunity to be a Trailblazer, building on existing successes to lay the foundations for rigorous and easily understood apprenticeships that will help Britain compete in the global race.'
FDF director Melanie Leech said while most maintenance engineer apprentices spend their first year off-site studying general engineering, many of these skills are not used in the food and drink manufacturing industry. “We are therefore thrilled to create a targeted apprenticeship programme where tomorrow's engineers develop the necessary skills to excel in our industry.”
She added: “We are delighted that food and drink manufacturing is one of the eight sectors taking part in the BIS Apprenticeship Trailblazers initiative.”
The FDF has previously worked to increase the number of young people entering the food and drink sectors. Its ‘apprenticeship pledge’ led to a quadrupling of apprenticeship starts in England and Scotland last year.
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