An iconic UK bakery food-on-the-go retailer has launched an apprenticeship scheme to fast-track its national expansion plans and develop the next generation of retail talent.
Newcastle-headquartered Greggs has teamed up with local training provider Gateshead College to deliver the initiative, which will see 120 apprentices in eight locations across the country trained in retail service or retail management. Around 20 apprentices will be based at sites in Tyne & Wear and County Durham, while others will be located in Norfolk, Bristol, London, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and the Midlands.
Following a competitive tender process, the company selected Gateshead College as its preferred training provider. Together, the two organisations will work together to deliver the programme. They will train apprentices to an industry-defined standard, which replaces traditional qualification frameworks and requires staff to demonstrate specific skills, competencies and personal attributes when carrying out their day-to-day jobs.
The retail service course will equip staff with knowledge of several subject areas including customer service, sales, equality and diversity, and workplace health and safety. They will also gain an insight into the Greggs business model and acquire transferable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and presentation and interview techniques.
Meanwhile, apprentices on the team leader course will learn additional skills in management, motivation and conflict resolution.
Roisin Currie, people and retail director at Greggs, said: “We’re thrilled to be working in partnership with Gateshead College on this exciting project, which is a great way of bringing new skills and fresh ideas into our business.
“We chose Gateshead College because of its longstanding history of providing high quality education and training and invaluable expertise in delivering apprenticeship programmes. We believe our partnership with the college will be key to training our future workforce and help us continue to drive the business forward.”
Ivan Jepson, director of business development at Gateshead College, said: “We’re delighted to be developing this bespoke apprenticeship programme with Greggs, an iconic national business with strong roots in the North East. It’s great that the company is investing in apprenticeships and has chosen us to help build a professional, skilled workforce for the future.”