EG Group to provide 500 apprenticeships over three years

EG Group has announced its “ambitious plans” to create opportunities for 500 apprentices over a three-year period. The announcement comes as part of its wider ongoing commitment to train and develop colleagues across the UK. Opportunities will be available at EG’s head office, as well as with its proprietary brands including LEON, the “naturally fast food” chain, and Cooplands, the UK’s second-biggest bakery business, both of which were acquired in 2021. According to the retailer, the apprentices will cover “a wide range” of disciplines and departments, including HR and payroll, finance, legal, surveying, insurance, data analytics and IT. Apprentices will also be able to take up learning opportunities at site level within foodservice, fuel, grocery and merchandise workstreams, including courses in retail management and hospitality management. The goal is to provide individuals the opportunity to develop their skills, behaviour and knowledge whilst gaining invaluable practical experience. 200 apprentices are already working across EG Group’s business this year, with a further circa 300 apprenticeship roles expected to be created in 2023 and 2024. EG said this expansion of the apprenticeship programme follows the successful trial and graduation of its first cohort of 33 apprentices in September 2021. This group completed a 24-month Retailer Level 2 apprenticeship with 25% graduating with a distinction, and 45% since progressing into more senior roles. Vincent O’Donovan, head of Learning and Development at EG Group, said: “We are very proud to be significantly extending apprenticeship opportunities across various areas of our business over the coming three years, following the success of the first cohort of apprentices last year. “The fact that our apprenticeship programme continues to go from strength-to-strength is a testament to the hard work, skill and dedication of everyone involved.”