Macphie | DYW | Awards

Macphie has been named as a finalist in the national Food & Drink Federation (FDF) Awards for its work with local secondary schools.

It is up against PepsiCo, Premier Foods, RSSL and Nestle UK in the Education Initiative category.

The recognition by the UK industry body is for Macphie’s work with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), a Scottish Government-led initiative which helps build meaningful partnerships between employers and education.

Through DYW, Macphie has formed partnerships with three local schools – Mackie Academy and Mearns Academy in Aberdeenshire and Uddingston Grammar in North Lanarkshire – all within a 10-mile radius of Macphie sites.

Prioritisation

Initiatives have included leading a lesson in time management with third-year pupils at Mackie Academy.

Demonstrating the importance of planning and prioritisation when meeting a deadline, one of Macphie’s bakers challenged the pupils to work in groups to prepare a layered sponge cake, along with a promotional poster, in 90 minutes.

This challenge was part of a course of employability lessons which focus on preparing pupils with skills for work including time management, problem solving and leadership.

Recruitment

Chairman Alastair Macphie said: “Inspiring pupils to find out more about careers in food and drink highlights the opportunities our vibrant and flourishing industry can offer.

“As a rural employer with our headquarters in the Aberdeenshire countryside, recruitment can be challenging.

“We are developing a longer-term strategy to support and motivate our future workforce so it is wonderful to be recognised for our efforts.

“We hope these links promote Macphie as an employer of choice in the region, create development opportunities for employees, and embed the business into the communities in which we operate.”

The FDF is the industry body for the UK food and drink industry and it describes its awards are “the industry benchmark of excellence for innovation, competitiveness and talent”.

The awards ceremony takes place in London on 20 September, when the winner of the Education Initiative will be announced.

  • The accolade follows Macphie being named as a finalist in the Inspiring Futures category of the Northern Star Business Awards for its work with Mearns Academy