This week, KFC will be live at the Birmingham International Convention Centre offering potential future apprentices the chance to win a day working with KFC’s Product Development Team at KFC’s HQ by designing their own ‘Apprentice burger’.
The free Apprenticeship scheme has been operating since 2011 and has seen team members aged between 16-65 graduate from it. KFC’s commitment to developing its people has seen it invest over £3.5 million into apprenticeships over the past six years. Apprenticeships at KFC enable students to learn on the job, gaining hands on experience, while also earning money as team members.
KFC is constantly striving to improve the programme and this year is launching two new programmes, the Foundation Degree Apprenticeship and the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship in Business Management, both in partnership with De Montfort University Leicester.
Ed Evans, Head of Education and Recruitment for KFC UK & Ireland said:
“We’re really proud of our apprentices and the programme. As a forward thinking business, we always look to nurture the potential of our team members, and our apprenticeship programmes allow us to do that. It’s not only a great opportunity for our people but for the business as a whole, as we continue to grow”.
KFC Assistant Restaurant General Manager Shaun Dickinson, who is a graduate of the Apprentice programme said: “The apprenticeship has been an amazing opportunity and fantastic for my career. Not only has it given me a second chance at further education, but it’s also given me the confidence to go after my career ambitions with the knowledge that I am capable of achieving.”
KFC has a strong history of pioneering new ways to develop its people; In September 2016, KFC was amongst one of the first businesses to offer the new Degree Apprenticeship in partnership with De Montfort University Leicester. The scheme announced by the government to bring together higher and vocational education at no cost to the student.
In 2013, KFC became the first restaurant company in the UK to launch an honours degree with De Montfort University Leicester. The degree course is open to assistant managers and above, and sees KFC pay for half of course fees, with the other half coming out of monthly salaries. Graduates of the degree programme have carved out successful career paths at KFC, many of which have gone on to work in head office functions or senior management roles.
