Kepak signs on for government apprenticeship scheme

Welsh meat processor Kepak has revealed its intention to take on hundreds of new staff after signing onto the government's apprenticeship programme to help supplement their workforce with skilled younger workers.

The first phase of its drive will see the Merthyr Tydfil-based manufacturer take on 50 new heads. They confirmed they intend to offer an apprenticeship framework to all staff at the St Merryn Merthyr plant, with the intent of "upskilling" both their fresh and existing staff.

The family-owned business report they have a particular need for skilled butchers, who are in short supply across the UK's food industry.

This news comes following fellow Brits Balfour Beatty revealed they would be boosting their graduate, apprenticeship and trainee programmes in a bid to tackle youth unemployment.

They have helped spearhead the government's new apprenticeship programme, which is specifically designed to help young people train for specialist trades they otherwise may have no interest in.

The comes as new regarding rapid job losses across all sectors has left hundreds of thousands of people, particularly young workers unemployed in the face of an economic depression.

Many industry sectors are facing catastophe or risk having to go under unless the government intervenes to help kickstart them in post-pandemic recovery.

Paul Hughes, Kepak St Merryn Merthyr site director said: "One of Kepak's key values is ambition. We want to invest in an apprenticeship programme that gives all of our employees an opportunity to grow and develop to their full potential within the business and to satisfy their own personal goals.

"Within the food indsutry, specifically mear, there is a hige skills shortage, and this is set to become and evrn bigger challenge for businesses like ours unless we take positive action. The importance of the meat sector has been highlighted throughout the pandemic.

"Our priority is to upskill our existing workforce, then we are looking to attract new staff and offer them a clear career path. We are hopeful that we can attract a diverse range of talent to our business. We aim to retain that talent by offering opportunities to develop a career in a practical and rewarding way."

He added: "We are looking forward to more local people joining our business and giving them access to these training opportunities in the coming months."

Economy minister for Wales, Ken Skates said: "Apprenticeships make a huge contribution to our economy and form a crucial part of our recovery from the severe impacts of coronavirus. We are already on target to reach our goal of creating 100,000 apprenticeships this government term, but we are doing more and further support will be available as part of the £40m jobs and skills package announced in July.

"I wish each and every apprentice at Kepak the very best now and for the future. I hope their apprenticeship experience is both fulfilling and rewarding."

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