The future looks bright for Sodexo

Futureproofing engineering through apprenticeships.  

Apprentices are the future according to Gary Holden, Apprenticeship Manager for a Sodexo Pharma client in the North West contract in Macclesfield. 

The facilities management company is investing in the future workforce through apprenticeships, ensuring that the skills of tomorrow are developed by apprentices based at their Macclesfield site. 

The company currently works with a wide range of apprentices, from catering to engineering electricians, refrigeration engineers and even two degree graduate apprentices studying a Building Services apprenticeship at the University of Central Lancashire. 

The benefits are clear for Gary, who said: “We hone the learner’s skills to what is needed, we develop people who have the right attitude and mindset and give them the skills that they can go on to fulfill key roles within the company.” 

A need to bring through skilled workers has been a driving force for the business and its clients. 

Gary said: “We need to bring talent through. We have an aging democratic across the country and if we don’t invest in our workforce now, we’re going to have skills gap in the next five to 10 years, especially in engineering.  

“Sodexo have calculated that they have 150 engineers aged 50 to 55 that are likely to retire or leave the business in the next five to 10 years. That will leave us with a skills shortfall if we don’t do something now.” 

Gary said working with Total People was a simple and easy process, with the expert team at Total People on hand to support him and his business and requirements at every step of the way. 

He said: 

Total People have been a preferred supplier of apprenticeships at the site. Our pharma client in the North West has a long history with Total People and they’ve been great. They respond to the needs of the apprentice as well as my needs, it’s a good all round package. 

“The team at Total People have a good depth of knowledge, they can answer all your questions. They want to provide a service and they want the apprentice’s experience to be a good one. We’ve got a good working relationship and long may it continue.” 

Find out more about our wide range of apprenticeships across our Technical Trade sectors.