A new project in Kent is piloting a scheme to offer non-graduates and career changers a two-year paid traineeship, regardless of their knowledge and skills, as a way of developing a local skilled workforce for fresh produce businesses in the county.
The project, ‘Growing talent’, is aimed particularly at those who have been in work for at least a couple of years and are looking for a change in career but want to remain based in Kent. The programme will include up to four different work secondments over 18 months to two years, supported by mentoring and training to align with apprenticeship Levels 3 and 5. The training will be provided by MDS.
MDS work secondments have traditionally been undertaken in locations across the UK as well as in Europe and South America. The pilot is the first time that all four secondments will be carried out in a single region. If it proves a success, similar regional schemes will be set up around the UK.
MDS business development manager Kirsty Barden said: “The route into fresh produce is not always obvious, while those considering it at a career crossroads may be reluctant to start over and spend time working their way up. With ‘Growing talent’, we are offering a fully supported first step on the ladder, whatever your knowledge or skills.”
She added: “Core to the pilot will be the mentoring and additional training we give alongside work secondments, building confidence professionally and personally which develops not only the trainee but the businesses they work for.”
The Kent pilot is being supported by Growing Kent & Medway, which was set up in 2020 to boost food production and economic growth in the south-east and is itself funded by UK Research and Innovation’s ‘Strength In places’ fund.