From February 9 to 13, Samworth Brothers will launch an initiative that introduces 24 new apprenticeship roles, increasing its total number of concurrent apprentices to 263. This strategic move directly aligns with current trends in the food and beverage industry, emphasizing skill development.
In conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026, the food manufacturing leader plans to unveil a new Level 3 Line Manager apprenticeship program. This initiative follows a successful launch of a Level 5 cohort, where 18 out of 19 participants achieved distinctions. Additionally, 31 apprentices are actively engaged in this program, showcasing the importance of innovation in training within food manufacturing.
During NAW, Samworth Brothers will advocate for enhanced cooperation between the Government and education providers. This collaboration is vital for establishing a further education system that better aligns with the skill needs of the food manufacturing sector, particularly in engineering, IT, and digital disciplines.
“An apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity to earn, learn, and progress simultaneously,” states Adam, an operations higher-level apprentice at Kettleby Foods in Melton Mowbray.
“The apprenticeship has significantly accelerated my career progression by building both my technical management capability and professional confidence. Being able to work alongside experienced managers while gaining a recognized degree has made the learning highly practical and meaningful.”
Currently, Samworth Brothers Group has 39 apprentices involved in the FDEM Apprenticeships (Food & Drink Maintenance Engineer) program. The organization is committed to recruiting and training 60 apprentices over five years in response to the ongoing engineering talent shortage impacting the food processing technology landscape in the UK.
“With an apprenticeship, you get the opportunity to put your learning into practice in a live environment and try things out, evaluate and ask questions and talk it over with your mentor, coach, and tutor,” added Zoie Parsons, who recently completed a Level 3 Learning and Development Practitioner Apprenticeship.
“As a bonus, you are still working and getting paid while developing and gaining a qualification!”
Furthermore, the firm aims to address concerns regarding recent changes in the apprenticeship landscape. Notably, limitations on funding for Level 7 (advanced) apprenticeships have hindered the ability to provide entry-level career opportunities in finance, affecting the overall talent pipeline within food and drink regulations.
