Nestlé supports 4,557 students in STEM subjects

By Gwen Ridler

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Young people Industry Employment

More than 4,000 students learned about food and manufacturing opportunities, claimed Nestlé
More than 4,000 students learned about food and manufacturing opportunities, claimed Nestlé
Nestlé has helped more than 4,000 young people gain insight into food and drink manufacturing industry careers through science, technical, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects, according to Nestlé UK & Ireland’s Social Impact Report released this week (February 9).

The firm supported 4,557 students face-to-face via workshops, assessment days and work experience through its Nestlé Needs Youth scheme – in partnership with skills and training firm My Kinda Future.

The report found 95% of participating students now had a better understanding of the opportunities the food industry had to offer, while 97% said they felt confident they would be able to build a career after leaving school or college.

Tackled youth unemployment

Nestlé claimed programmes like these helped young people make key decisions about their future careers and tackled youth unemployment by creating a strong foundation for students once they left school.

Nestlé has created more than 2,000 employment opportunities for young people since 2014 as part of the Nestlé Needs Youth initiative, surpassing the initial target of 1,900. New graduate and apprenticeship roles were introduced to support this.

Nestlé UK & Ireland ceo Fiona Kendrick said: “Attracting new talent and investing in future skills is key to the continued success of our business.

“We all need to play our part in creating opportunities for the next generation and helping young people from all backgrounds move from school to the world of work, which is why we are offering young people the chance to gain experience throughout our business.”

‘Creating opportunities’

My Kinda Future md William Akerman said Nestlé was setting a great example to other UK businesses on how they could improve their talent pipeline and give opportunities to students across the UK.

“We have had brilliant feedback from students and teachers on their experience at workshops, Nestlé insight days and assessment days, so I am very pleased and excited to see how they engage with and recruit future graduates and apprentices during 2017,” ​he added.

A focus on STEM skills could also fill the gender pay-gap​ found in the food industry, according to EEF, the manufacturer’s organisation.

EEF senior employment and skills policy adviser Verity O’Keefe said getting young girls interested in STEM subjects would also help fill skills gaps in manufacturing. 

Nestlé’s Social Impact Report – at a glance

  • Supported 4,557 young people
  • 95% of participating students said they had a better understanding of job opportunities in the food industry
  • 97% said they felt confident they would be able to build a career after leaving school or college
  • Nestlé has created 2,000 job opportunities for young people

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