To say Nestle is a household name is an understatement. From the first brands we experience, such as Gerber, to nostalgic childhood favorites like DiGiorno, Toll House and Hot Pockets, even down to what we feed our pets, like Purina, and Friskies, companies like Nestlé are there for it all.
Nestlé’s impact does not stop at what we eat (or feed our furry friends). For some, Nestlé is a career. Nestle's apprenticeship program helps students get started.
Jerry Franklin, the Apprenticeship Program Manager at Nestlé, says, “In the beginning, it’s going to look like just a regular, new employee. They are going to get some orientation and onboarding to learn more about Nestlé as a whole and meet their team.” Apprentices then split their time between work and school. For those going into a skilled trade, such as maintenance, they will study the job at school and come back to the factory to have hands on training.”
“When school is done, it’s all on the job. They’re going to continue to evolve and learn more difficult functions, more technical sides of their job,” Franklin explains.
We spoke with two current apprentices at Nestlé. Here is what they had to say about the program.
Ken Amos
Ken Amos works as a customer service apprentice with Nestlé’s Customer Service Associates (CSAs), focusing on getting product orders to CVS and Walgreens. He ensures promise times are accurate, along with completing miscellaneous tasks surrounding customer service.
About his apprenticeship, Amos says, “I think what resonates with me the most about the apprenticeship program is the opportunity to grow.” He notes the welcoming community at Nestlé; his coworkers are friendly and make sure he is learning what he needs to be successful. “In the realm of Nestlé, everyone around you is supportive and they all have goals. So being around those people, growth is just second nature,” Amos explains.
Amos tells us he wishes he knew about apprenticeships earlier, when graduating high school. “I wish I knew about all the different programs and companies that actually have these programs,” he explains. 
Aniyah Shields
Aniyah Shields is several months into her customer service apprenticeship at Nestlé, while studying visual communication and marketing. She works with the CSAs that oversee orders with Costco, ensuring that each order has the right quantity.
When describing the benefits she has gained from her apprenticeship, she explains, “the people that I work with are all experienced professionals in the industry. Having that hands on experience that I might not have had the opportunity to have on my own has been so enjoyable,” she explains.
“I also get to see everything firsthand,” Shields explains. “I’ve learned really great effective communication skills. When you’re at work, you want to make sure that you’re getting your point across. I’m in this environment sharpening my communication skills and conflict resolution skills. We’re all on the same page here, we all want the same, we all have the same goal. Being able to communicate that and get your point across in a professional manner is one of the main skills I’ve learned here.” 
The impact
NRF Foundation RISE Up training helps students prepare for careers in retail. But it can be hard to gain entry into the various career paths within the industry, and that’s what Nestle is offering. “The beauty of apprenticeships,” Franklin says, “is that we’re offering somebody a position where, in a normal realm of an organization, you would need experience. We’re going to provide that experience for them to gain.”
Franklin also emphasizes the importance of mentorship, especially during the preliminary stages of a career. “They will have a mentor or coach with them throughout the whole apprenticeship. They might get a task and be given time to complete that task and gain experience, but they’re never going to be left alone for extended periods of time.” This allows apprentices to gain knowledge and experience under the guidance of a seasoned professional, adding to their resumes and skill sets.
