Since its inception in 2008, independent catering company Entier has had a firm focus on people and quality. Now the largest organisation of its type in Scotland, the company has a clutch of accolades that acknowledge these commitments, including the Queens Award for Enterprise, Employer of the Year at Scotland’s Food and Drink Excellence Awards and the CheRries Exemplary Employer of the Year.
Entier’s ongoing recruitment and development of young people forms a huge part of its overall strategy. Its Fresh Olive Apprenticeship programme offers school leavers the opportunity to learn their craft within a purpose-built training academy, under the watchful eye of Scottish Chef of the Year, Orry Shand, who just happens to be their boss. Little wonder then, that Entier also holds the Investors in Young People Gold Practice Award, with the panel describing them as “a model company when it comes to the way it invests in young people: Enthusiasm, energy, innovation and creativity are in plentiful supply within this group of employees, and indeed their influencers”.
All of the above traits were in firm evidence during a recent site visit and tour organised for the DYW North East team. And although Entier’s facilities and catering are second-to-none, it was the young people themselves who stole the show.
“Speaking to the young people who worked at Entier, you could tell that the company has created an extremely positive culture that is very enabling,” said Margo Milne, director, DYW North East. “Their young team members communicated confidently and genuinely – you could tell that they are secure and happy in their roles.”
Part of this confidence stems from the exposure to different skills and experiences that Entier offers its apprentices: the range of roles that young recruits can progress into covers everything from Business Development, Operations, Events Management, Executive Chef and more. Shane, an operations manager at the age of 24, is proof that age is no barrier to progression.
At Entier, a world of opportunity awaits for those who join.
