Developed with Crosby Training, the bespoke fishmonger apprenticeship scheme aims to further enhance the skills and knowledge of wholesale fishmongers to take their career development to the next level.
Neil Poxon, operational support manager at Bidfresh, commented: “I’m delighted that Direct Seafoods is utilising this great initiative. It’s something I’m thrilled to be able to offer our current and future employees and am incredibly passionate in seeing it succeed.
“This fresh approach to recruitment will help us not only in achieving our ambitious growth plans but also providing sustainable, progressive careers for those involved in the scheme moving forward, helping us to retain and develop the fantastic talent we have within our business.
“The skills and knowledge gained will help them to develop and progress as well as being directly linked to the operations of our business, allowing them to enhance the current excellent service we offer to customers.”
Launched in March 2023, the course takes 12 months to complete and features modules including food safety, health & safety, picking & packing and knife skills. Each of these modules contribute to the qualification of a Level Two Diploma upon completion of an assessment.
Lindsay Bennett, who is currently enrolled on the apprenticeship, added: “The training we have received so far has been extremely beneficial. Having a trainer go through the course in person rather than online has made it much easier to take things in and has improved my confidence enormously.
“The course is also giving me the opportunity to obtain my Maths and English L1 qualifications which, along with the skills I’m acquiring, will be extremely valuable throughout my career. This scheme has made me excited about the future and I hope that soon it’ll be me teaching the next wave of apprentices.”