Randall Parker Foods (RPF) are committed to training their meat preparation staff through the Apprenticeship route. Sparsholt College, with specialist butchery facilities, was their first choice of provider. In partnership with the College, RPF are also planning a recruitment drive to encourage other young people into the business.
Luke Hobson completed his framework last year and has shown a real skill and passion for butchery. He now represents the Apprentices on the shop floor at company meetings.
RPF’s HR Manager, Aileen, says: “We’ve got three good Apprentices this year following on from Luke who completed last year. Luke has been absolutely fantastic, he is naturally talented and has got amazing knife skills and is so enthusiastic and keen to learn. The sheer physicality of the work can be difficult for some youngsters but Luke has really managed this well.
“We had an open day recently when all the Sparsholt butchery students came through the business and saw each stage of the process. The Apprenticeship Liaison Officer is excellent and provides individual support to each Apprentice. We are totally committed to growing our own talent through Apprenticeship training and the College has been really supportive working with us to deliver to our exacting standards. This year we plan to take on eight to ten new Apprentices.”