More reasons to ‘work’ at Morrisons

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown with
Morrisons’ apprentices

Bradford-based supermarket chain, Morrisons, has announced the launch of its new ‘Fresh Food Academy’ Apprenticeships which will enable 18,000 employees to gain nationally recognised qualifications by the end of this year and 100,000 by spring 2011.

Staff at the 53 stores in Yorkshire and the Humber will all have the opportunity to undertake training, which includes NVQs in retail, full Apprenticeships for butchers, bakers and fishmongers, and further training in a variety of other areas to work towards gaining a full diploma.

Norman Pickavance, group HR director for Morrisons, said: ‘Working at Morrisons is not just a job; we're providing people with real careers. Even in these challenging economic conditions, Morrisons is committed to hiring and training new people to keep retail as the engine room of the economy and support our continuing growth.’

‘The Fresh Food Academy will strengthen Morrisons' position as the UK's leading proponent of retail craft food skills; skills which help people build a career and help Morrisons further increase the quality, value and service we provide to our customers.’

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, announced the supermarket's plan at the job summit at London’s Science Museum last month. He said: ‘Only a few minutes ago I met graduates from the Morrisons’ Apprenticeships scheme. Morrisons has announced today that it will create 5,000 jobs across the business over the next year and is launching a Fresh Food Academy to offer a high quality route into skilled work with support and training to achieve nationally recognised qualifications.’