Nestlé are keen to attract, develop and retain young talent for their organisation. They also wanted to reduce youth unemployment, and aimed to create 1,900 employment opportunities within a three-year period.

They wanted to partner with a university to create a learning and development programme which is relevant and bespoke to the company.

What we did

Sheffield Hallam won the Nestlé contract in an open competition against a considerable number of other universities. The company reported that it was ‘blown away’ by our application. They were particularly impressed by our ability to deliver academic rigour while being flexible and responsive to their business needs.

We developed a unique degree programme with Nestlé. The company recruits school leavers to work full-time, rotating across four areas of the business over a three-year period. During this time they also complete a degree in management with Sheffield Business School, specially designed to be relevant to their work with the company.

The result

The first cohort of 12 students started the programme in September 2013. Nestlé sees the management degree as a potential blueprint for the wider food industry, and will take on another 12 students in September 2014. They have received over 300 applications for these places.

They say

This programme not only allows young people to earn while they learn but also to gain invaluable business skills and experience whilst working towards the academic achievement of a degree.

Fiona Kendrick, chairman and CEO, Nestlé UK and Ireland