Nestle to create 1,600 jobs and says industry needs to step up on youth unemployment
Swiss food giant Nestle has announced it will create 1,600 jobs for young people in the UK and Ireland over the three years. The company will also create 300 paid work experience placements. These placements will last for four weeks and be paid above the national minimum wage.
Nestle chief executive, Fiona Kendrick, said:
We believe industry needs to step up and play its role in bringing youth unemployment down.
Young people in the UK and Ireland are stuck in a Catch-22 situation – they can't get a job without experience, but can't get experience without a job.
Nestle's announcement came as the company published research which showed that nine out of ten businesses believed young people left school ill-equipped for the world of work.
The news was welcomed by the government, with Skills minister Matthew Hancock (pictured) saying:
The food and drink industry is facing a pressing skills gap and it is critical that businesses take action to engage and attract young people into the sector.
It is encouraging that Nestle, as a large UK employer, are helping to open up opportunities for young people across their business.