Food & Drink
Kraft Heinz
Kraft Heinz faced difficulties in recruiting young talent for their food manufacturing operations. They needed a programme specifically designed to attract and train 18-24 year olds who were keen to start careers in this industry.
The college collaborated with Kraft Heinz to develop a targeted traineeship programme. This ten-week programme was designed to equip students with transferable skills, boost their confidence, and provide vital work experience in food manufacturing. The programme culminated in the achievement of the Food and Drink Careers Passport, a credential recognised as essential for employment in the industry.
To meet Kraft Heinz’s specific requirements, we included approximately 180 hours of hands-on work experience at the Kitt Green factory. Trainees gained practical experience in can-production, raw goods manufacturing, and sterilisation areas. This real-world training was complemented by classroom sessions that focused on industry-relevant skills and knowledge.
The partnership between Kraft Heinz and the college had a significant positive impact. Trainees like 18-year-old Declan Aziz, who had been out of education and work for two years, found the programme transformative. Declan appreciated learning new skills such as housekeeping on the line and running production lines manually and automatically. He noted, “It’s been a very good experience and motivates me to get out of bed in the morning. My goal is to achieve an apprenticeship with Kraft Heinz.” At the end of the programme, six learners will had the opportunity to interview for an 18-month apprenticeship with Kraft Heinz. College Principal Anna Dawe highlighted the success of the programme, stating, “It is good to see a strong working partnership with Kraft Heinz, the council and the college offer such a unique and targeted opportunity. Young care leavers have an amazing array of talent. This programme provides learners with a real opportunity to learn, develop and ultimately impress a future employer. They are exceeding our expectations, making great progress and without doubt setting themselves on a career path for the future.
