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British Sugar and DEFRA showcase Apprenticeships to Young Jobseekers

13 October 2016

George Eustice MP, describing the importance of the event said: “The UK’s food and farming industry generates over £100 billion a year for our economy and provides countless jobs and opportunities. 

“I want young people to see this high-tech industry as a top career destination with a diverse and exciting range of opportunities. Having skilled and talented people on board is the key to boosting an industry that is the bedrock of our economy.”

Paul Kenward, British Sugar’s MD, said: “At British Sugar apprenticeships play a key role in the development of our future success. We champion local talent whilst providing hands on experience and great prospects for our apprentices.” 

British Sugar’s Will Hamilton showcased his experience as a mechanical apprentice to an audience of young jobseekers at ‘Feeding Britain’s Future’ workshop with the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, George Eustice MP.  He accompanied the Minister to judge a product development competition.

Will, who has just been appointed as a Mechanical Technician at Cantley following a successful four year apprenticeship, said of the event: “I really enjoyed sharing my own experiences and think more young people should know about the different career paths or options available within the food and drink sector.”  

The Feeding Britain’s Future workshop, organised jointly by DEFRA and the Institute of Grocery Distribution – a research and training charity, aimed at developing people working in or looking to join the food and grocery industry, is an annual event and now in its fifth year. The campaign has grown nationally to help thousands of unemployed people with employability skills. Further details can be found at: www.igd.co.uk

Contacts:

Claire Hargreaves
claire.hargreaves@britishsugar.com or 01733 422945

British Sugar and the sugar industry

Over the past ten years, British Sugar has recruited and trained over 100 graduates and over 90 apprentices (four year apprenticeship programme, including support to gain recognised professional qualification).

British Sugar employs apprentices, graduates and experienced professionals for roles across the business and throughout the supply chain including engineers, accountants and project managers.

2016 National Survey ranked British Sugar’s Apprenticeship Scheme at No. 15 – the survey conducted by allaboutschollleavers.co.uk was based solely on the opinions of people on apprenticeships, school leavers programmes and sponsored degrees. 15th place put them ahead of BMW, DHL, Jaguar Land Rover amongst others

The home-grown sugar supply chain supports around 13,000 jobs; making it one of the country’s leading rural employers

One of the most efficient sugar industries in Europe, and competitive with leading global cane producers

The industry operates to high standards for environmental sustainability, and practices a ‘no waste’ culture

British Sugar operates 4 factories across East Anglia and the East Midlands employing almost 1,800 permanent and contract staff.

British Sugar sources sugar beet from over 3,400 farmers, supplying our four factories with around 7 million tonnes of sugar beet.

British Sugar has invested £300 million over the last 10 years to improve efficiency and competitiveness

Each year, British Sugar produces over 1 million tonnes of sugar plus a wide range of co-products

The British Sugar site in Wissington is the largest producer of natural Betaine in the world and began production in Bioethanol in September 2007, making it the first company to manufacture Bioethanol in the UK

British Sugar uses highly efficient Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology to generate electricity and heat energy

Each year, over 700,000 MWh of electricity is exported by British Sugar to the national grid network -  that’s enough to power 120,000 homes