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A Q&A with Jane Spurden, Career School Liaison Manager
Bakkavor Group is a global leading provider of fresh prepared foods, supplying top grocery retailers with everything from ready meals to desserts. With almost 14,500 employees and a strong presence across the UK, Bakkavor is deeply invested in developing early career talent and opening doors to meaningful employment in food manufacturing and beyond.
We spoke with Jane Spurden, Career School Liaison Manager, about how Bakkavor Group supports young people through school outreach, work experience, and early careers programmes.
Q: What kinds of experiences of the workplace opportunities does Bakkavor Group offer?
We offer a broad range of options: apprenticeships, graduate programmes, placement years, and direct roles. This year, we’ve welcomed 74 apprentices and 23 graduates across various departments. We also run structured work experience both on-site and in schools, covering areas like finance, marketing, and HR. Not every student is able to attend an external placement, so these in-school days offer hands-on insight into areas like product development, where students can even design their own creations.
Q: What does a typical student experience look like?
It depends on the area, but we try to give them a real flavour of the business from finance and marketing to IT. In IT, for example, we host six students at a time and rotate them so they see different functions. At the end of the week, students get a workshop on presentation skills, where they’re filmed presenting, receive feedback, and learn how to improve. It’s about helping them gain confidence and practical preparation for things like interviews or assessment centres.
Q: Why do you think it’s important for students to access these kinds of experiences?
It helps them understand the world of work and makes the transition less daunting. We coach students on teamwork, time management, and interview techniques, skills that are vital but not always taught in school. We also often see how familiarity helps. When students who’ve seen us in school show up at assessment centres, they’re instantly more relaxed.
Q: Does Bakkavor see any benefits from offering experiences of the workplace?
Definitely. In our Lincolnshire region alone, 60% of apprentices we hired last year were students we’d previously met in schools. Recognising potential early really helps, and we even create a list of standout students to keep an eye on for future opportunities.
Q: How do you involve schools and families in the process?
We’ve introduced teacher encounters across several sites, as many educators don’t fully understand the range of careers available in our sector. We also hold one-to-one sessions with students and their parents during careers evenings, offering a chance to explain what apprenticeships involve and answer any questions. Helping parents understand the value of modern apprenticeships is key as they’ve evolved significantly and are about far more than just “cheap labour.” At Bakkavor, all our apprentices are guaranteed a role at the end of their programme.
Q: Have there been any challenges or barriers for Bakkavor to get involved?
Initially, yes… Time and resources were barriers. But once the business saw the impact, my role was created to lead this work full-time. We’ve since expanded it nationally. We also train managers on supporting apprentices and graduates, so it’s a development opportunity for them too.
Q: Would you recommend this to other businesses?
Yes, 100%! Even short sessions or one-off workshops can make a difference. My advice: work with your local Careers Hub. They’ll help you get started and support you every step of the way. The students benefit, but so does your business. Some of our former apprentices are already in leadership roles. You never know who you might meet in a classroom.
See the difference experiences of the workplace can make – for young people and your business. Find out how to get involved: careersandenterprise.co.uk/employers/workplace-experiences
