Based in Glenrothes, frozen food store Farmfoods has given several Rathbone learners a successful taste of the workplace.

Aware that some of these young people have experienced real difficulties in their lives, Farmfoods has been very understanding; and their encouraging approach has helped put trainees on the road to a career in retail.

Amongst the latest batch of young people to learn skills such as replenishing stock and operating the tills, has been a young man who joined Rathbone to pick-up some Lifeskills. Initially short on confidence, he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at the Kingsgate store where he has proved to be a  competent employee. Also relishing his fiveday-a-week placement is a learner who is currently improving his Personal and Social Development skills. He will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of a recent Rathbone placement who went on to full-time employment with Farmfoods. Key to the success of these young people is Assistant Store Manager Carol Keenan, whose approachable nature has made her popular with the learners who know if ever they have a problem - Carol will endeavour to solve it.

This course enables young people to assess their strengths and weakness and overcome any barriers to progression.

“Just like Rathbone, Farmfoods sees potential in the young people it works with and wants nothing more than to help them achieve. I am pleased so many have taken the opportunity we have given them and I accept this Award on their behalf.”
Carol Keenan, Assistant Store Manager, Farmfoods

“Rathbone is very lucky to have an employer like Farmfoods to help its trainees develop personal and social skills and gain a greater understanding of the work-place and what they want to do. We are also extremely fortunate to work with Carol, who has done so much to alter the course of our learner’s lives.”
Maria Collie, Training Advisor, Rathbone Fife

Farmfoods won Rathbone's Employer of the Year Award in 2008.