Manufacturing Apprentice Alex Bracher has worked across a number of Nestlé's leading brands since joining the team in Halifax in October 2021, including Quality Street and After Eight.

I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted to do when I finished college. I prefer to be hands-on so an apprenticeship seemed like a good fit. I searched online and the roles on offer at Nestlé caught my eye straight away. I found the idea of food manufacturing really interesting and knew there would be plenty of opportunities.

I've been lucky that my manager had been through the same apprenticeship as me, so he's been able to guide me through the process from day one. He's really supportive when it comes to balancing my work with my studies, giving me more time off the line to finish assignments when I need.

The breadth of products Nestlé manufactures means that you get to try so many different things all across the business.

A varied course

So far, the course has been really varied, with five-month stints across different roles, all with the aim of improving performance on the lines. It's been fascinating to see how all the different elements of the production process contribute to the bigger picture.

I've learnt so many new skills, particularly when it comes to some of the more technical side of things. I always had somebody guiding me through some of the more complex parts of the job at my own pace so I could build up my skills and confidence. Now I've been signed-off to run some of the machinery without supervision.

Working with household names

I've been involved in some really interesting projects. The breadth of products that Nestlé manufactures means that you get to try so many different things all across the business.

One of the main ones was supporting the transition from film and foil to paper wrappers across the Quality Street range. I knew it was going to have a major sustainability impact for the business, so it was really rewarding to be part of that team.

I've since moved on to a trial to speed up the cutting process of After Eights. It's a good feeling knowing that the products you're working on might be picked up by your family or friends.

It's also the diversity of people I work with that I enjoy. I've had the chance to meet lots of different characters who have all made me feel welcome.

Looking to the future

Now that I'm around halfway through my apprenticeship, I'm starting to think about the next steps in my career. My aim is to become a lead operator and I hope that over the remainder of my apprenticeship I can put myself in a position where I can achieve this