Derbyshire bakery Luke Evans is taking part in a national scheme aimed at helping young people to secure jobs.
The Riddings-based bakery has pledged support to the Feeding Britain’s Future campaign which is being staged by the food and grocery industry during September.
Organised by research and training charity IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) and in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, the campaign is offering 15,000 training opportunities nationally.
At Luke Evans Bakery, operations director Helen Yates will run workshops over two days on September 18th and 20th focusing on compiling CVs and advice on interviews, as well as a tour of the bakery.
“We feel it’s really important to support young people in their bid to secure a job. It can be particularly tough to get on the first rung of the career ladder. Luke Evans Bakery has been hiring local Derbyshire workers for more than 200 years, so we are well placed to offer advice and support about what we look for when it comes to employability,” said Helen Yates.
“At the same time, this campaign gives us, and the sector in general, a great opportunity to inspire the younger generation to consider the food and grocery industry as a career. The food and grocery industry is the UK’s biggest private sector employer, accounting for one in seven jobs, and it needs to attract young people with the right skills in order to continue to thrive.”
Pre-employment workshops are taking place at 1,200 locations across England, Scotland and Wales during September, and more than 180 employers have united to offer 15,000 training opportunities to young people.
IGD chief executive Joanne Denney-Finch said: “This type of programme not only helps young people understand the rules of the game when job hunting, but it also widens the talent pool from which the industry can recruit its future stars and leaders. There are benefits for everyone and we’d encourage other industries to follow suit.”
Luke Evans Bakery, which was founded in 1804, operates 24 hours a day producing a range of breads, cakes and other bakery items. It supplies around 300 wholesale and trade customers in Derbyshire, East Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire, including shops, universities, cafés, schools and delis. It also has a shop beside its bakery in Greenhill Lane, Riddings, near Alfreton.
For more information visit www.lukeevans.co.uk
