EG Group today announces ambitious plans to create opportunities for approximately 500 apprentices over a three-year period, 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.

The apprentices will cover a wide range of disciplines and departments, including Human Resources and Payroll, Finance, Legal, Surveying, Insurance, Data Analytics and Information Technology. 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.

Approximately 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.

This expansion of the apprenticeship programme follows the successful trial and graduation of EG Group’s first cohort of 33 apprentices in September 2021. This group completed a 24-month Retailer Level 2 apprenticeship with 25 per cent graduating with a distinction, and 45 per cent since progressing into more senior roles.

EG Group has also developed career pathways primarily in its finance department to help attract and retain talent. Employees can be nominated to be enrolled on (AAT) programmes from foundation level 2 up to intermediate level 4. Colleagues who successfully complete the AAT level 4 course are provided with an opportunity to enrol on to a degree level 7 apprenticeship in ACCA, ACA or CIMA preparing them for professional exams, and supporting them in their long-term career development.

Vincent O’Donovan, Head of Learning & Development at EG Group, commented:

“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. As a business, we thrive on providing learning and development for colleagues and we are committed to building for the future and supporting individuals to gains skills and experience across the business. 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.”

Ahmed Kazi, Group Operations Director at EG Group, commented:

“The wider apprenticeship programme has already helped the Operations team to grow and develop. The scope of work in our team is quite broad and varied as it encompasses commercial areas such as facilities management, site services to global insurance. Many of our colleagues have grown with the business gaining hands-on work experience and by providing them suitable vocational learning they now have the necessary confidence and competencies to review a wide range of business functions and associated service contracts. The apprenticeship programme is helping us to take operational excellence to the next level, as part of our efforts to equip colleagues with the skills of tomorrow.”