Young people from in and around Boxford are getting the opportunity to gain valuable work skills by visiting PepsiCo’s Boxford plant as part of a nationwide campaign to tackle youth unemployment. The drinks giant is one of 130 firms taking part in Building Britain’s Future Skills for Work Month, a collaborative project between Government and industry that is connecting 14,000 unemployed young people with about 130 food and grocery firms.

Each participant will be invited into the PepsiCo plant in Boxford and given a guided tour of how some of the UK’s most popular juices are produced. Every young person will then undertake a practical skills development session designed to enhance employability skills.

This will include advice on interview techniques and CV writing, as well as taking part in a “job dating” session where they can discuss career goals and employment tips with PepsiCo employees spanning a range of positions.

Speaking about the scheme earlier this week, Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the initiative, stating he is “delighted that the food industry is getting behind our young people by enabling them to develop their skills and get on in life.”

Brian Waltham, PepsiCo site manager at Boxford, said: “The Copella team at Boxford is really getting behind Feedings Britain’s Future this year. For the young people in our area who are struggling to find employment, this fantastic scheme offers a chance to see inside local businesses, gain vital skills and get a feel for the kinds of career opportunities that are available in the food manufacturing sector.”

Boxford will be one of eight PepsiCo manufacturing sites taking part in Feeding Britain’s Future – Skills for Work month. The British food and grocery industry currently employs 3.7 million people - around one in seven of the UK’s workforce – and caters for a variety of different skills sets and areas of expertise.