Learning and development are at the heart of Kepak’s meat processing plant and abattoir in Merthyr Tydfil, which is the largest in Wales with a workforce exceeding 800.
The company is using its St Merryn Merthyr operation to develop a blueprint for skills development, apprenticeships, succession planning and management development across the business, which has 15 sites across the UK and Ireland.
The Merthyr site comprises two abattoirs, beef and lamb boning halls and a retail and distribution operation.
“Skills development is fundamental to the success of our business,”
“Developing our own talent is at the core of Kepak’s learning and development strategy.”
“There have been several examples of personal growth and development from a number of our apprentices who have successfully been promoted into responsible supervisory roles or into new roles within the business.”
Employees who have developed new skills and improved their pace and quality of work have been rewarded with incremental pay increases.
“We see our relationship with Cambrian Training as very much long term and aim to upskill as many of our staff as we can to put ourselves in a much stronger position to that of our competitors,” adds John.
Jeremy Jones, Kepak’s HR operations manager UK, adds: “Our training team have created a customised and effective development programme that complements the company’s succession plan.
