SSP UK has revealed it will take on around 340 apprentices across its bakery brands by 2014.

The bakery apprentices will form part of the 750 total apprentices set to join the company, and will work across brands including Millie’s Cookies and Upper Crust.

The firm, which operates a number of food and beverage brands in travel locations, has just welcomed its 1,000th recruit to its apprenticeship scheme, since its launch in July 2010, as it outlined plans for its next intake.

Christine Holland, national apprenticeship manager for SSP UK, said: "In line with the government’s priorities and strategies, SSP UK recognises the need to support school leavers this summer.

"Catering is not often young people’s first choice of a career and yet we have a large demand for skilled staff. By providing a structured framework for training and career progression, our apprenticeship scheme allows young people to learn while they earn and has enabled us to recruit and retain a number of really excellent team members."

The programme builds on what the young person learns during a 12-week induction at team level or trainee team leader level. It offers different levels of qualification: participants train for either Level 2 Food and Beverage Service, Level 2 Retail, Level 2 Team Leading or Level 3 Management.