Degree Apprenticeships
What we offer
Our degree apprenticeships are delivered in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, who are leading providers for the food and drink industry. You will gain valuable knowledge, skills and behaviours over your 4 year programme, helping you to succeed with a nationally recognised qualification and a career with Greencore.
We offer the Chartered Management degree apprenticeship across our Operations, Commercial, HR and Logistics functions, or the Food Industry Technical Professional degree apprenticeship in our Technical team, depending on where your interest lies.
Operations
We produce over 2000 different products across our 16 manufacturing sites. Our operations team are at the heart of what we do, working collaboratively with colleagues across the business to achieve productivity objectives, and deliver great food for our customers.
Our Operations pathway offers the first step into a management career at Greencore.
Technical
From the quality of the food, to driving our Sustainability agenda, Technical has the responsibility for supporting the production and delivery of our products safely, and in an environmentally friendly way.
Our Technical pathway offers the first step into a specialist career pathway.
Commercial
Our Commercial teams are responsible for managing and developing the relationships with our customers, as well as help us develop new and innovative products. Our purchasing team help us source the best quality suppliers for our products. Our marketing and customer insight team helps us understand the latest customer and consumer trends.
With a range of pathways into Commercial, you’ll be certain to kickstart your career.
HR
Our HR teams are responsible for supporting our colleagues and helping our managers put people at the core of all we do. Our HR teams get involved in recruiting, developing and managing the day to day people initiatives that align to our people plans, and the talent, development and inclusion of our people.
Our HR pathway offers the first step into a HR career at Greencore.
Logistics
Our logistics teams are responsible for providing a delivery service from our manufacturing sites to stores through our own delivery fleet. We own and run over 500 vehicles, and deliver directly to over 10,000 convenience and forecourt outlets from our 18 regional distribution centres and transport hubs nationwide.
Our logistics pathway offers the first step into a distribution career at Greencore.
“I know I have the support from my mentors here at Greencore and also at Nottingham Trent University, they’re always looking out for my personal and professional development.”
“You get the opportunity to combine really meaningful work experience with degree studies, alongside earning a full-time competitive salary”
“What really attracted me to Greencore was the employees throughout the recruitment process, they were so friendly and I could ask them any questions. I also like how I can learn on the job and through academia”
“I’ve received a lot of support on my programme, as Greencore really do put people at the core”
How to apply
Applications are now open for our Degree Apprenticeship programme, will open in January 2023, ready for a September 2023 start.
In order to apply, you must have the right to work in the UK and hold GCSE (or equivalent) qualifications in English and Mathematics, grades 4-9 (A-C). If you have an international equivalent qualification, it is likely you will need to complete an additional assessment to determine your eligibility. We also ask you to have a minimum of 120 UCAS points (achieved or predicted) before applying.
Please make sure you include as much information as you can about your education and work experience in your application, to make sure we get as complete a picture of you as we can.
Our application process consists of an application form, a telephone interview, an assessment centre, site tour and team visit and finally an interview with the University.
Frequently asked questions
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What is the best way to prepare for my interview/assessment centre?
Research as much as you can about Greencore, practice some competency-based interview questions, and google assessment centres so you know what to expect when you arrive. Remember, we are not looking for you to have loads of experience or knowledge about the roles we offer, we are looking for your attitude and approach to work!
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When will I hear if I’ve been successful?
We receive lots of applications for our early careers programmes, which means we are very busy working our way through them, scheduling calls, interviews and assessment centres. We aim to keep you involved throughout each stage of the process, and you will hear if you have been successful soon after each stage. Following assessment centres and final stage interviews, we also provide all candidates with feedback on how they performed, which can help to shape any future recruitment processes if need be.
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If I am successful, will there be more than one Degree Apprentice at my site?
At our larger sites, we often take on 2-3 degree apprentices in a cohort, however in our smaller sites this isn’t always possible. We plan our induction for all early careers colleagues together, so you can make contact with others on your programme as a support network before you get started, so you can ask them any questions if needed. There may be others at your site who have joined in previous years – you will be introduced to them early on when you join.
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Where will the role be based?
This depends on the pathway you apply for. In Operations, Technical and Commercial, you will be based at the site you apply for the role at, but may have an opportunity to undertake a project/placement at a different site if you wish/there is a business need. However in HR and Logistics, you need to be prepared to relocate to a different after your first year if need be, as the placement is dependent on where the vacancies are at that point in your programme.
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Do I need a driving licence?
Although not mandatory, we recommend you have a driving licence if possible, as our sites are often not in locations that are easily accessible on public transport. If you don’t have a driving license/access to a car, it is recommended you decide and agree with your family (if necessary) how you are going to get to and from work, sometimes in unsociable hours, before you accept the role.
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When do I start?
Early Careers induction week will be in late September/early October 2022 (date TBC), however we will be in touch with you before then and introduce you to our current degree apprentices/site teams so you are comfortable and ready to join us when the time comes.