Hitchen Foods Wins Award for Diversity in Recruitment

Recognition for local recruitment drive aimed at long-term unemployed and disadvantaged

Hitchen Foods Ltd in Wigan has received a prestigious food industry skills award for their work in encouraging local long-term unemployed and disadvantaged people into full-time jobs.

Presented at the annual Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards, the ‘Diversity in Recruitment Award’ recognises excellence in hiring new employees from diverse groups.

Hitchen Foods Ltd (part of Bakkavör Group) makes convenience salads, prepared vegetables and ready meals for several large grocery retailers in the UK.

In 2009, Hitchen Foods Ltd undertook a recruitment drive working collaboratively with Jobcentre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council and employment and skills service provider TNG, to offer long-term unemployed people the opportunity to apply for vacancies.

The recruitment drive incorporated various stages, including an open day held in the town centre, an awareness and assessment day for interested candidates, and a site visit to Hitchen Foods Ltd, before candidates were invited to enter a 2 week pre-employment course.  During the course, candidates benefited from interview and confidence boosting techniques as well as instruction in food handling and health and safety.

Two pre-employment courses have now been held, leading to 22 successful candidates taking positions at Hitchen Foods Ltd.

The successful pre-employment training technique offers a way in to work for those who might otherwise be disadvantaged in the labour market.  The Hitchen Foods Ltd programme has now benefited people with disabilities, learning difficulties, people with no previous qualifications and long-term unemployed.

The Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards are organised by food and drink industry magazine Food Manufacturer.