Sweet success for Hillsborough apprentices

Two young engineering technician apprentices have become the first to secure employment at the Mondelēz International sweets and biscuits factory in Hillsborough in more than 30 years.

At a celebration event this week, Dawn Woodcock, aged 25 and George Ellis, aged 20 were awarded their NVQ certificates of completion as well as finding out they’ve secured junior technician roles in the factory working on big name brands such as , Trebor, Maynards and Bassetts.

Mondelēz International currently employs more than 70 apprentices across the UK and is recognised in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list compiled annually by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds. This recognises excellence in businesses that employ apprentices.

The Sheffield site still employs four apprentices from its original scheme more than 30 years ago, having progressed through different engineering roles. The scheme was closed in 1984, so Dawn and George are the first apprentices to complete their apprenticeship since then. The site will be welcoming a further three apprentices this September.

Sheffield apprentices are trained across four years in the highly employable and transferable skills needed for repairing and maintaining equipment in a food manufacturing environment. The apprenticeship starts with a year's practical foundation study at a local training provider to prepare them for their roles in the factory. Once on site, apprentices are trained in a wide range of areas such as advanced maintenance of manufacturing, packing machinery, factory quality, hygiene and safety requirements, whilst also continuing their studies towards NVQ & BTEC qualifications in engineering. In addition, each apprentice is given a personal mentor to guide them through the programme.

Dawn Woodcock, Engineering Apprentice said: “I’m now at the end of my four year apprenticeship with Mondelēz and I’m delighted I’ve been offered a role here in the Sheffield factory as a Junior Technician. I was able to try my hand at maintaining a range of equipment types across different departments to give me the broadest possible foundation of skills and experience. An apprenticeship is a great gateway into the working environment and for you to gain nationally recognised qualifications whilst earning a salary. It’s great to have the expertise of former apprentices to draw on and for me to offer advice to the new apprentices coming through the scheme.”

Steve Ulley, Project Engineer and Sheffield Apprenticeship programme Lead said “We recognise the value apprentices bring to our company, and we are committed to investing in and developing a sustainable apprenticeship programme, ensuring a long-term skills and expertise pipeline for the future. We are delighted to see our first two apprentices completing the scheme in more than 30 years, with four of our original Bassetts apprentices still working at the plant today. Being apprentice trained myself it’s very satisfying and rewarding to be part of a scheme that offers the same opportunities to the young people of today who will be the technicians of the future.”

Ends

Notes to editor

For further details please contact Samantha Wothers on 01895 615 011 or [email protected]

Case studies or interviews available upon request

Dawn's top tips for aspiring apprentices:

1. Try to get as much information as possible about all of the opportunities available to you before you apply 2. Don't be afraid to ask your potential employer questions and make sure you know exactly what is needed so that you can highlight your best attributes 3. Look into the college or training providers. Are you going to get the right qualification for you? 4. The most important thing is to choose something that you're interested in – this will give you the drive to study and learn successfully 5. Picture your long term ambitions – where do you want to be and what steps do you need to take to get there

Mondelez International Apprenticeships

 Mondelēz International has a long history of offering apprenticeship programmes and currently has more than 70 apprentices across the UK business in: Engineering, Manufacturing and RD&Q  Roles are based at our sites across the UK, including Bournville, Banbury and Sheffield and more are due to start in autumn 2015  On joining the business, each apprentice is assigned a mentor to help with their work and facilitate their learning, meaning they are well supported both internally and externally throughout their apprenticeship  The apprenticeship lasts up to four years and cover both the practical and theoretical elements of operations within the Food Industry. At the end of the apprenticeship, NVQ and BTEC qualifications are awarded (dependent on the course). Some apprentices go on to study for foundation degrees  Apprenticeships offer a route to harness new talent within the business. They ensure that our workforce has the right mix of both the practical skills and qualifications that we need. The training our apprentices receive gives a strong level of transferable foundation skills whilst also being specific to our business, making them highly skilled employees. We have also seen a positive impact on employee morale as other employees see apprentices as an investment in the future and an opportunity for them to help develop others  More information on apprenticeships at Mondelez can be found: www.mdlzearlycareers.co.uk

Mondelēz International Sheffield site

 The Sheffield factory employs 400 people and manufactures iconic brands including Trebor Mints, Bassett’s , Liquorice Allsorts, Maynards Wine Gums and now Oreo and  There are three factories in addition to the new Oreo production site – the mints factory which manufactures Soft Mints and Extra Strong Mints; the Bassets Liquorice Allsorts factory; and the jellies factory which manufactures Wine Gums, Jelly Babies, Sports Mix,  George Bassett founded his confectionery company in Sheffield, in 1842. In 1899, the 'original' Liquorice Allsorts were discovered by accident. The world famous Bertie Bassett character was born on 1st January 1929

About

Mondelēz International is a world leader in biscuits, chocolate, gum, candy, and powdered beverages, with billion-dollar brands such as Oreo, LU and biscuits; , and chocolate; gum; and powdered beverages.”