ONE of the north’s biggest employers Henderson Group has launched three new apprenticeship schemes which will help develop careers across a range of disciplines.
Offering the opportunity to earn, learn, gain recognised qualifications and develop careers with top-class teams, Henderson has opened its successful logistics apprenticeship scheme for a fourth year, alongside two new schemes for 2021.
In the past three years, 19 apprentices have been hired across the group, with a third of those becoming full time logistics operatives.
Henderson Print will offer the opportunity to learn about production, packaging, storage and the group’s large format print production, with the successful candidate working towards a GQA Level 2 in print.
And Henderson Kitchen, which produces the firm's wholesale division’s own-brand range of fresh The Chef products with professional chef Carl Johannesson at the helm, will also offer two roles at its facilities in Randalstown - cook apprentice and food production apprentice.
Henderson Group's talent acquisition specialist Glen Young says this is a crucial time for upskilling and reviving the local workforce.
He added: “We are proud to employ over 4,400 people across Northern Ireland, and we are dedicated to providing growth through our workplace apprenticeships across our different companies.
“We have recently completed phase three of our Mallusk warehouse redevelopment and therefore are keen to grow our logistics team in line with the group’s growth.
“Our successful candidates will receive first-class training in loading, picking, scheduling, health and safety, manual handling and so much more, all while working towards NVQ Level 2 in warehousing and storage.
“The Print and Kitchen apprenticeships are new for 2021 and are providing roles that are high in demand.
“The growth we have experienced for our fresh, own brand products throughout our network of retail stores requires even more cooks and food production specialists to be trained up to our high quality.”
He added: “Under chef Carl’s professional guidance, there is the opportunity to learn prep, cooking and portioning while working towards a NVQ Level 2 in food production and cooking.
“The food production apprentice will learn how food production works, stock rotation, packaging, storage and more, all while working towards a NVQ Level 2 in warehousing and storage.”
