Celebrating Outstanding Success of Food & Drink Process Operator Apprentices

Background

In January 2018, Bakkavor Pizza, based in Harrow, London, embarked on a programme of development with CQM Training & Consultancy to upskill a group of employees in the new Food and Drink Process Operator Level 2 apprenticeship standard.

The company is a 24/7 operation running 364 days of the year with circa 800 employees (on average providing 15 years’ service) and producing 300M units per annum.

For many of those undertaking the course, English was a second language, added to which, they had not participated in formal learning for quite some time. With this in mind, the site was absolutely jubilant when in October 2019, 9 apprentices completed the programme in full with CQM T&C; 8 achieving Merit and 1 learner achieving the highest grade of Distinction.

Further testament to the success of the apprenticeship is the number of general promotions which the learners received; one apprentice advanced to a Factory Trainer’s role, one to a Skilled Operative role from being a Line Operative, and two stepped up as Team Leader. Lastly, one of the Line Leaders has advanced to Quality Auditor position.

In addition, the apprentices worked on improvement projects. One in particular helped to identify and eliminate waste in the proving process, and this was important in highlighting how they can keep dough waste to a minimum going forwards.

Bakkavor Group pride themselves on the investment they put into their teams, with learning and development being vitally important to them as a company. Kate Golon, HR Manager Bakkavor Pizza commented, ‘We are delighted to be the first site within Bakkavor Group to have learners completed the Food and Drink Process Operator apprenticeship. We see all our teams as an asset to Bakkavor, and this particular group have left a legacy and set the benchmark of how future programmes should be run.’

To ensure the apprentices were fully supported on site, CQM T&C delivered Mentor training to 12 members of the management team prior to the start of the apprenticeship programme. The Mentors were coached to fully understand their role and what was required of them, but also to understand the guidelines within which they operate and to whom they report.

The apprenticeship training was delivered by CQM T&C incorporating the level 2 FDQ qualification, and End Point Assessment being carried out by OAL. CQM T&C’s Functional Skills delivery was a key part of the development for the apprentices and their success in achieving this huge step change in their English should not go without note.

Andy Cheshire, Managing Director CQM T&C, highlighted the key to their success, ‘There is an incredibly nurturing culture at Bakkavor Pizza Harrow with each learner really receiving the support and encouragement they need to achieve these amazing outcomes and overcome their initial struggles with the English functional skills test. It’s great to see that Bakkavor Pizza Harrow now have a pool of skilled talent that will be able to take on new challenges and expand their roles.’

CQM Training & Consultancy have had 374 starts on Food and Drink Process Operator Level 2; of which 71 have achieved with an EPA pass rate of 100%.