Apprenticeships pivotal to Kepak's workforce success. Posted 23 June, 2026 Kepak graduates. Image: Cambrian Training Company International food company Kepak is continuing to drive workforce progression and combat industry skills gaps at its flagship Welsh facility by anchoring its growth strategy in work-based training. Developed in tandem with Cambrian Training Company, Kepak's comprehensive apprenticeship programme has established its Merthyr Tydfil meat processing plant and abattoir as the internal blueprint for talent development across the company's 14 manufacturing sites in the UK and Ireland. The site - which comprises two abattoirs, beef and lamb boning halls, and a massive retail and distribution operation - relies on tailored training pathways to cultivate its workforce from the ground up. Since 2020, a total of 73 employees have successfully completed their qualifications through Cambrian Training Company, with 47 personnel currently working toward their credentials and 13 finishing within the last six months alone. Building an internal talent pipeline. The apprenticeship frameworks at Merthyr Tydfil span from Level 2 up to Level 4, targeting specialised operational and administrative fields. Structured training pathways are currently offered in: * Core Technical Trades: Butchery, Meat Processing, and Technical Operations * Operational Leadership: Food Industry Team Leading, Technical Management, and Food Manufacturing Excellence. * Business Support: Management, Team Leading, and Business Administration. This multi-level approach provides clear upward mobility for entry-level staff, directly fuelling Kepak's internal succession planning. A prime example of this upward trajectory is Marcin Andrzejewski, who originally joined the company in 2007 as an agency packer. Today, Andrzejewski serves as the facility's lamb boning manager and is actively working toward a higher-level Apprenticeship in Management. "Apprenticeships are incredibly important to Kepak because they help us invest in the future of our people and our business," explained Jenna Hardie, Kepak's HR manager at Merthyr Tydfil. "Through apprenticeships, we've seen improvements in employee retention, skills development and internal progression, with apprentices often moving into more senior or specialised roles within the business." Hardie further noted that the initiatives have "helped strengthen productivity and engagement by developing employees who are highly trained and invested in the company's success," while simultaneously cutting external recruitment costs. A dedicated partnership. The success of the program highlights the value of a collaborative relationship between a major regional employer and a dedicated training provider. Hardie highly praised Cambrian Training Company's customised approach, stating that its "hands-on support, strong communication and genuine commitment to both the learner and the employer" set them apart. "They take the time to understand our business needs and ensure the apprenticeship programmes deliver real value for everyone involved," she added. Mark Hughes, Cambrian Training Company's operations manager, mirrored this sentiment following a recent biannual apprenticeship graduation ceremony held at the Royal Welsh Showground. "Kepak's commitment to apprenticeships is exceptional and the results speak for themselves," Hughes stated. "Their investment in developing people at every level has created a highly skilled, motivated workforce that continues to grow with the business. We are proud to work in partnership with a team that truly values learning and progression." Looking forward, Kepak intends to expand these learning opportunities as a core element of its broader "Kepak Kickstart" early careers programme, ensuring the local workforce is fully equipped to meet the demands of a modern, innovative food industry.

Mince recalled from Lidl and SuperValu over salmonella fears; here's what to check. Jun 14, 26 A number of pork mince products sold in Lidl and SuperValu have been recalled over fears they may be contaminated with salmonella. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) confirmed the recall, which applies to specific batches of Irish pork mince supplied by Kepak. All of the affected products carry a use-by date of June 16, 2026, meaning they may still be sitting in fridges in homes around the country this weekend. Shoppers are being urged not to eat the affected products. The products affected. Lidl Family Pack 100% Irish Pork Mince (800g) - use-by date 16/06/2026, batch number L5159, approval number IE 329 EC SuperValu Fresh Irish Pork Mince (400g) - use-by date 16/06/2026, batch number L5159, approval number IE 329 EC SuperValu Fresh Irish Pork Mince (800g) - use-by date 16/06/2026, batch number L6159, approval number IE 329 EC The FSAI has issued a Category 1 alert, and retailers have been told to remove the affected batches from sale immediately and display recall notices at the point of sale. What to do if you've bought one. If you have any of the affected mince at home, do not eat it. Return it to the store where you bought it for a refund, or dispose of it. The symptoms to watch for. Salmonella infection typically causes symptoms within 12 to 36 hours, though this can range from six to 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody, along with fever, headache and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. The FSAI warned that the elderly, infants and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to suffer severe illness, and that in some cases the diarrhoea can be serious enough to require hospital admission. If you are concerned about your health after eating any of the affected products, you should contact your GP. This week's Top Stories

Tesco and Kepak launch 23% lower-carbon Irish beef range. According to the retailer, the product's carbon footprints is independently verified by the Carbon Trust 25 May 2026 Tesco in partnership with Kepak have launched a new Irish beef range which has been shown to be up to 23% lower-carbon than other equivalent Irish beef meat cuts or finished products. Verified by the Carbon Trust the new range is exclusively available across Tesco stores and online. The introduction of this range is a direct response to growing consumer demand for lower-carbon food choices and is a first-to-market launch in Irish retail. While research consistently shows shoppers care about sustainability, the primary drivers of purchase decisions remain taste, quality, and value, the retailer noted. Commenting on the announcement, Geoff Byrne, CEO Tesco Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: "At Tesco, ShelfLife know its customers want food that delivers on taste, quality, and value, but they also want to understand the impact of the choices they make. "The new Bright Meat Company range offers customers excellent quality Irish products they can feel good about putting into their baskets. "We are committed to collaborating with farmers, supply chain partners, and independent experts to support more sustainable food choices as we work towards our ambition to be net zero across the value chain by 2050." Twenty20 Beef Club The Bright Meat Company range is supplied through the Twenty20 Beef Club, a producer group of Irish farmers supplying cattle through Kepak's and Tirlán's integrated beef supply chain. Through the Twenty20 programme, farmers are supported to adopt more sustainable farming practices that help reduce environmental impact while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and beef quality, Tesco explained. This fully traceable farm-to-fork approach gives consumers confidence that the beef they are buying has been responsibly produced by trusted Irish family farms committed to a more sustainable future for food production, it added. Working with the internationally recognised Carbon Trust footprint label, the product carbon footprint of individual Bright Meat Company products has been independently verified against equivalent Irish beef meat cuts or finished products. This means shoppers can see verified 'lower-than' claims on pack, helping them to make more informed choices with confidence. 'Lower carbon footprints' Minister Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, stated: "This initiative demonstrates how collaboration across farming, processing and retail underpinned by independent verification by the Carbon Trust can successfully lead to lower carbon footprints, while maintaining the high standards for quality that Irish beef is known for. "Promotion of sustainable food can hugely benefit Ireland, as a food producer, into the future." Brian Tormey CEO, Kepak, added: "Achieving independent certification from the Carbon Trust is an important milestone for Kepak and reflects the work being done across its business and supply chain to build a more sustainable and resilient beef production model. "It is important that we continue to work collaboratively with farmers, customers, Tirlán and our other industry partners to deliver measurable progress in a practical and commercially sustainable way. We see this as another step in strengthening the long-term competitiveness and credibility of our beef."