MDS Members help shape the leaders of the future by providing our Trainees with a range of challenging secondments over the course of their chosen programme. Our membership includes forward-thinking businesses from the food supply chain, including growers, manufacturers, processors and retailers. Combined with industry-specific apprenticeship training, the experience gained in the secondments develops talented individuals into people you want to employ.
Interested in joining? Complete our contact form.
Developing Tomorrow’s Food Industry Leaders
MDS provides cutting-edge training programmes tailored exclusively for the food and fresh produce industry. We recruit exceptional graduates, developing their skills and leadership through hands-on experiences and targeted professional growth opportunities.
Why Join MDS?
As an MDS member, your organisation gains immediate access to ambitious, high-performing graduates ready to deliver real-world impact. Key benefits include:
- A reliable pipeline of future industry leaders.
- Fresh perspectives driving innovation and organisational adaptability.
- Networking and collaboration with industry-leading peers.
- Significant cost savings on recruitment and training through structured talent programmes.
How to Join
Joining MDS is simple and transparent. To become a member, your organisation must:
- Operate in food, fresh produce, agriculture, or horticulture, committed to talent development.
- Have established UK operations (minimum five years trading, three years audited accounts).
- Employ at least ten staff, with a senior manager or director overseeing the MDS partnership.
- Provide two secondments annually in early management or leadership roles.
- Train Secondment Managers appropriately and maintain robust job-specific training, risk assessments, and health and safety procedures.
- Agree to MDS’s terms of business.
Membership Costs
We ensure straightforward, transparent pricing to maximise your investment:
Joining Fee: £800 (one-time)
Annual Subscription: £2,800
Trainee Daily Rates:
- First-year trainees: £137/day
- After first year: £151/day
Graduate Employment Transfer Fees:
- £2,500 for active Members regularly providing secondments.
- £3,500 for inactive Members (no secondment within two years).
Take the Next Step
Ready to boost your organisation’s potential with top graduate talent?
Join MDS today by completing this contact form – lead the way in shaping the future of the food and fresh produce industry.
