Food and Beverage Company Limited (FBCL), Manchester is an IELTS Reading Answer that contains 7 questions and needs to be completed within 10 minutes. This reading answer also helps you to prepare for your IELTS exam. Food and Beverage Company Limited (FBCL), Manchester consists of questions like: Choose the correct option. Participants should go through the IELTS Reading passage to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions. Also, Food and Beverage Company Limited (FBCL), Manchester Reading Answers tells about information about the job profile. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.
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Overseas Personal Recruitment Procedure
FBCL is a privately owned company that has operated in Manchester for 15 years. We specialise in the production of a range of food and drink items which we market under several brand names primarily in the Manchester area. FBCL follows a decentralised management practice and is an equal opportunity employer. A significant portion of our employee base consists of professional migrants. As the assessment procedures of overseas degrees and professional experience are different than our domestic staff, all applications from migrant professionals go through a different recruitment process.
Positions vacant are always advertised in regional newspapers which include a full description of the job responsibilities and qualifications required. Our recruitment ads can also be found on our website. We collect all the applications sent to us within the stipulated deadlines. We then sort the applications into two groups - applicants with UK-based education and qualifications and all other applicants. Two different recruitment teams within FBCL assess these groups of applications since the method used to evaluate and validate details for each group differ significantly.
UK-based applicants are evaluated and short-listed. We examine university degree details - degree(s) achieved, units studied and results awarded. Regarding professional records, we concentrate on previous positions and job responsibilities. In most cases, we do a reference check with previous UK employers. Non-UK applicants are sent to a specialised independent recruitment company located in Manchester. The recruitment company is highly experienced in application evaluation with agent offices in over 120 countries. This ensures excellence in this phase of the selection process. At times, government databases are used in evaluations to ensure fixing of standards. Contact with international employers is occasionally made.
Once the applications from both groups have been reviewed and possible candidates selected, they are combined on one list. The next stage of the process involves applications being further reviewed and a short-list is created by the directors of the company. The candidates in this new short list have made the final round and are then called for a face-to-face interview with the personnel manager.
Applicants selected by the personnel manager to join the company need to undergo a basic physical check-up at a preferred medical centre in Manchester. All those selected are then sent for compulsory 2-week training at FBCL headquarters, which is located 25km west of the metropolitan city. A lump-sum payment is made for the session with living expenses also covered.
After successful completion of the training, candidates are placed in marketing, sales or office positions. A provisional period of 3 months applies to all positions after which appointments become permanent. During the provisional period, benefits reserved for permanent employees are not included in the salary package, only a basic salary is paid.
Questions 21 - 27
Choose correct letter.
21. Recruitment procedures at FBCL are different for international professionals because
A) most employees are from overseas.
B) their jobs may require some retraining.
C) formal qualifications and work taskas are different.
D) recruitment is more decentralised.
Answer: C) Formal qualifications and work tasks are different.
Supporting statement: "As the assessment procedures of overseas degrees and professional experience are different than our domestic staff, all applications from migrant professionals go through a different recruitment process."
Keywords: assessment procedures, overseas degrees, different recruitment process
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1
Explanation: The passage states that overseas qualifications and work experience differ from UK-based applicants, requiring a separate evaluation process.
22. Positions vacant
A) include work responsibilities and pay scales.
B) can be found in newspapers and online.
C) list work experience requirements.
D) are organised into two distinct groups.
Answer: B) Can be found in newspapers and online.
Supporting statement: "Positions vacant are always advertised in regional newspapers... Our recruitment ads can also be found on our website."
Keywords: advertised, regional newspapers, website
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2
Explanation: The passage clearly mentions that job vacancies are published in newspapers and on the company website.
23. UK-based applications
A) are processed faster than non-UK applications.
B) focus more on professional qualifications than work experience.
C) are examined by several company departments.
D) often lead to contact with past places of work.
Answer: D) Often lead to contact with past places of work.
Supporting statement: "In most cases, we do a reference check with previous UK employers."
Keywords: reference check, UK employers
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3
Explanation: The company verifies past UK-based work experience by contacting former employers.
24. The independent recruitment company
A) is based in East Manchester.
B) keeps the selection process standards high.
C) contacts international employers on behalf of FBCL.
D) has a close relationship with government departments.
Answer: B) Keeps the selection process standards high.
Supporting statement: "The recruitment company is highly experienced in application evaluation with agent offices in over 120 countries. This ensures excellence in this phase of the selection process."
Keywords: highly experienced, ensures excellence
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4
Explanation: The independent company ensures high recruitment standards through its vast experience and international presence.
25. The FBCL company directors
A) reduce the number of applicants.
B) are involved with short-list interviews.
C) review short-listed candidates with the personnel manager.
D) design questions for the final round interview.
Answer: A) Reduce the number of applicants.
Supporting statement: "Once the applications from both groups have been reviewed and possible candidates selected, they are combined on one list. The next stage of the process involves applications being further reviewed and a short-list is created by the directors of the company."
Keywords: further reviewed, short-list created
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5
Explanation: The directors help narrow down the applicants before the final interview stage.
26. The physical check-up
A) is stricter for non-UK applicants.
B) is the final stage in the interview process.
C) is not difficult.
D) is required for staff.
Answer: D) Is required for staff.
Supporting statement: "Applicants selected by the personnel manager to join the company need to undergo a basic physical check-up at a preferred medical centre in Manchester."
Keywords: need to undergo, basic physical check-up
Keyword Location: Paragraph 6
Explanation: The check-up is mandatory for all new hires before they start work.
27. Applicants who successfully complete their training
A) become permanent staff.
B) are entitled to a financial benefit.
C) are paid a wage.
D) undertake three months of additional training.
Answer: C) Are paid a wage.
Supporting statement: "A lump-sum payment is made for the session with living expenses also covered."
Keywords: lump-sum payment, living expenses covered
Keyword Location: Paragraph 6
Explanation: The company provides financial compensation for the two-week training, meaning applicants receive a payment.
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