ACS and the IGD are encouraging convenience retailers to speak to students about the brilliant careers available in the food retail sector. Store owners and executives from larger convenience chains and symbol groups can take part in the Schools Programme as part of IGD’s Feeding Britain’s Future initiative. Over the past year over 1,000 volunteers from across the food industry have visited 200 schools, speaking to over 5,000 students.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said “Too few young people understand the varied and rewarding careers available in the food industry and specifically in the convenience store sector. Many of the people now running convenience store groups and performing other senior roles in the industry started their careers in this sector and stayed because of the breadth of opportunities and their ability to make a difference by showing initiative and being entrepreneurial. Through Feeding Britain’s Future we want senior retailers to inspire the next generation of leaders in our sector.”
IGD Director of Learning Programmes, Anne Bordier said: “The schools programme is an extremely important part of Feeding Britain’s Future and we are proud to support young people in helping them to understand how to translate their education into skills for work, while learning about the wide range of food and grocery careers. They also have the opportunity to get direct insight into the industry from volunteers that attend which includes individuals from all parts of businesses including a number of CEO’s, and with this support, we are set to engage with 7,000 students this year.”
To get involved in the schools programme, ACS members should contact Oma Panton at [email protected] or contact ACS on 01252 515001.
