A community initiative run by family company Burns Pet Nutrition has celebrated the culmination of its programme, which supports young people on their journey into the workplace, at a presentation designed to recognise and celebrate the achievements of its participants.
Wales-based Burns Pet Nutrition, in conjunction with Pembrokeshire County Council Youth Service, works to provide experiences and opportunities for young people aged 18-25 via The Better Tomorrow Programme by The Burns Pet Nutrition Foundation, a charitable arm of Burns Pet Nutrition, which helps people and animals throughout the UK.
This is the second three-week programme run by The Burns Pet Nutrition Foundation, the first winning a Wales Youth Work Excellence Award for the Pembrokeshire Council Youth Service in 2016.
The Better Tomorrow Programme offers young people a range of work placement opportunities and confidence building experiences. It allows individuals from diverse backgrounds to work across the company’s multiple departments for three weeks, enabling them to better grasp the working world and all it entails. As a result, the groups of young people gain skills and expertise in the warehouse, on the company’s farm, in its retail stores, market gardens and in its Burry Port factory.
To give the youth team an extra boost, Burns Pet Nutrition staff also provide nutritional talks, insights into their own careers with Burns, and conduct mock employability interviews with its HR team. Certificates are also awarded to the participants, which they can present to future employees.
The programme has been so successful that one member of the group is currently undertaking a 3-month work placement at Burns Pet Nutrition’s headquarters in Kidwelly, South Wales.
Veterinary Surgeon and founder of Burns Pet Nutrition, John Burns, has dedicated over half his life to the wellbeing of animals. He has been running Burns Pet Nutrition – one of the UK’s most successful pet food companies – for almost 25 years.
John Burns commented:
“It is so vital that young people gain experience in the workplace and I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to offer the group practical skills and training that will stand them in good stead for future employment.”
Kate Evan-Hughes, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Director for Children and Schools said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for young people. It’s so inspiring to see a programme that builds self-confidence and enthusiasm in the workplace.”
Owen Potter, aged 22, one of The Better Tomorrow Programme’s participants, added:
“I would strongly recommend The Better Tomorrow Programme. It gives you experience in so many different lines of work. From working in agriculture to using graphic design programmes on the computer, I’ve picked up a wide range of practical skills.”