2 Sisters Food Group factories in youth employment drive
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced on 8 July a £2bn fund to create jobs for people aged 18 to 24 to help restart the economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
2 Sisters said it hoped to use the scheme to help recruit for the 300 positions currently available across its two large processing sites in Scunthorpe and Willand.
The need to recruit more staff has followed a surge in demand for its products and a higher-than-average absence rate due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
COVID-19 fallout
Ranjit Singh Boparan, president of Boparan Holdings, said: “The fall-out of this crisis will hit vulnerable young workers harder than other age groups, so my business is well-positioned to help at our sites, which have vacancies.
“We understand that the ‘Kickstart’ scheme is an initial six-month placement, but this is not to say there wouldn’t be further opportunities for those starting out on their careers to develop themselves and stay at the business.”
Roles available at both Willand and Scunthorpe included engineering, technical and operations positions (full list in the box below). Anyone interested in applying can contact the human resources team on 08704 589 700.
Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft added: “I'm very pleased to see the Chancellor's job-creating plans taking effect so quickly in Scunthorpe.
‘Opportunities for young people’
“2 Sisters' decision to open up a range of placements, including those in high-skilled and leadership positions, will provide great opportunities for young people in our area.”
The poultry processor's plans to boost youth employment followed the reopening of its site in Llangefni, Wales after it was closed due to a cluster of coronavirus cases at the factory. Local authorities have since given the site the all-clear.
2 Sisters worked closely with the Welsh Government, Public Health Wales, the Health and Safety Executive, Anglesey County Council, the Food Standards Agency and trade union Unite to ensure the safety of its workers.
Meanwhile, strong sales during the coronavirus pandemic will see Signature Flatbreads create 75–100 jobs as part of a significant investment to increase production capacity at its Dunstable factory.
