Convenience food manufacturer Natures Way is celebrating the success of two of its engineering apprentices who have completed their training.
Robbie Twyford and Charles Pearce, who were welcomed onto the firm’s engineering apprentice programme four-and-a-half years ago, have achieved an NVQ level 3 in engineering maintenance after training at all three of the company’s manufacturing sites in Selsey, Runcton and Merston.
Richard Sellis, head of engineering at Natures Way Foods initiated the programme. He said: “Developing the next generation of engineers is critical to sustaining Natures Way Foods growth ambitions. I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of the apprentices and the department in ensuring the scheme has been, and will continue to be, an overwhelming success.”
Natures Way’s training partner, the Portsmouth Engineering Training Association (PETA), has assisted with the selection and assessment of its apprentices and its in-house mentors have provided guidance, support and health and safety training throughout the programme.
During the selection process candidates are asked to design and build a catapult to launch a head of lettuce. “Twyford and Pearce both demonstrated excellent creativity and problem-solving skills, as well as a desire to learn and work as a team,” Natures Way reported in a press release.
Chief operating officer Richard Parr added: “These attitudes will set them up for success in the future and we wish them every success with their careers at Natures Way Foods.”
Natures Way has increased investment in the Learning and Development programme by 40 per cent in the past year.
The privately-owned business supplies prepared salads, prepared fruit, coleslaw, potato salad, food-to-go and dressed salads to some of the UK’s largest supermarkets and foodservice companies.
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