Scottish food business becomes first to pledge free training places

Cian Short (Kepak Early Careers Manager) and Jayne Mizon (Kepak Head of Learning and Development)

LEADING food manufacturing company Kepak has become the UK’s first food business to offer free training places and guaranteed interviews to candidates who complete industry courses. 

The training initiative is in partnership with The National Skills Academy for Food & Drink, with the NSA doubling the number of places Kepak has offered to 200. 

As well as giving participants the opportunity to complete courses relating to the food and drink industry, Food Passports can benefit course participants by broadening their knowledge and skill set which will help to kickstart a career in the food and drink sector. 

The courses are comprised of four modules with candidates having the opportunity to start and stop at their leisure, with the courses taking up to about 8 hours to complete.

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Kepak’s Portlethen site near Aberdeen, which supplies prime cuts of meat across the UK and internationally, has taken up the pledge of free training and guaranteed interviews to demonstrate to candidates the various roles and career options across the food and meat industry. Kepak’s North East site has job vacancies with vital roles to fill.


On being the first company to pledge licences, Cian Short, Early Careers Manager, Kepak Group said,

said: “It’s an exciting time to be joining the food industry with many opportunities to start a career at Kepak being offered and the Food Passport scheme is a great way of gaining industry knowledge alongside developing necessary skills. 

“Being the first food business to pledge training places and through our partnership with the NSA to help support initiatives like the Food Passport scheme, will hopefully encourage many to consider a career in the industry and showcase the long term prospects on offer.” 

“Since it’s national launch last year, the Passport has gained considerable support from the industry as an innovative new recruitment route and it’s excellent to have businesses like Kepak on board and pledging preferential recognition including guaranteed interviews for holders,” said NSAFD Chief Executive, Louise Cairns.

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