Working to connect with more businesses in Scotland was one of the main discussions at the Management Development Services (MDS) Open Day held last week.

Out of a total of 38 members currently making up the non-profit business, just one of them is based in Scotland – Angus Soft Fruits, located in Arbroath.

MDS works on behalf of the membership companies to provide a two-year graduate scheme helping trainees to get a head start in the food and fresh produce industry.

Speaking at the open day, chair of MDS, Christine Tacon, said: “It has taken two years to get this far in England. We think we’ve done it alright but once we’ve done that, we’ll look at other things.”

Currently, those undertaking the apprenticeship must complete four different roles across four different businesses over the course of their training.

During this time, 12 months of training must be completed in England due to funding arrangements for the programme, but the other time can be spent in other countries, including Scotland and various overseas locations.

There is currently no such scheme based within Scotland but Christine said it was something to consider in the future – along with her plans of looking at introducing a school leavers scheme, rather than focusing the training on just university graduates.

Training and development in MDS

A total of 355 trainees have come through the scheme since MDS was first founded 32 years ago.

Around 85% of MDS alumni are still working within the food produce sector and upon taking up their position within the training scheme, approximately 35% of trainees previously had no experience or background within the industry.

However, Christine discussed that a growing number of people without a background in the sector are applying to the programme.

There are currently 44 trainees on the programme, with another 15 due to begin in October this year – with the scheme attracting around 40 applicants per place available.

From October 2018 onwards all trainees will be apprentices within MDS and some places are already filled for next year’s scheme.

Benefits to companies within the sector

The 38 member companies of MDS include growers, suppliers and retailers of fruits and vegetables, meat products and agrochemicals.

The scheme allows members to assess trainees while on their placements before making recruitment decisions.

MDS also run ‘meet the trainees’ events in which members and trainees are provided with the networking event to see if any employment opportunities are available.

The scheme also provides relevant training to member companies’ own employees.

In addition to Angus Soft Fruits, companies who form part of MDSs membership include Del Monte UK, Fyffes and Aldi stores.

Angus Soft Fruits

Providing a member’s perspective on the scheme, commercial director for Angus Soft Fruits, John Gray discussed that being a part of the scheme has helped with recruitment for the company.

John said: “Generally we find a shortage of graduates who want to work specifically in the fresh produce industry. We struggle to recruit, particularly people wanting to live in the east coast of Scotland.”

He added: “With the scheme, you know you are going to get a high calibre trainee.”

Angus Soft Fruits has been a member of MDS for around one year and John hopes that within the next five years, the company will be recruiting permanent employees directly from within the MDS training scheme.

Looking ahead and 2020 Vision

Discussing any effects of Brexit for accessing labour and trainees, Christine said: “We don’t have any trouble recruiting our graduates.

“They can apply from within the EU if they want, and they do, but we’ve got 40 applicants per place just now and we never have any trouble recruiting.”

John added that accessing labour from the EU was not a reason for Angus Soft Fruits to join MDS.

“In our supply chain team in Arbroath, five out of six are non-UK nationals and have worked their way up.

“So it wasn’t a reason for joining but it’s definitely something to consider.”

As part of MDS’s 2020 Vision, the organisation hopes to extend its membership to 50 members and have 30 trainees enrolled in the scheme each year.