FDF roadshows highlight food manufacturing roles

Speaking before the launch of National Apprenticeship Week, which starts today (Monday February 6), Angela Coleshill, the FDF’s director of competitiveness, said:

“There is certainly appetite for investment in skills, which is why FDF members are taking collective action to help us build a pool of talented apprentices that can be developed and deployed across the industry – building skills for the future. ​

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“There is still work to be done to communicate to young people the wide variety of exciting roles on offer in the food industry…”​

The first roadshow will take place at the Food and Drink Expo at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) near Birmingham on the afternoon of Monday March 26.

On the morning of the same day and at the same location, more information on plugging the skills gap will be available at a free half-day skills seminar organised by our sister title Food Manufacture​. See below for details.

Benefits of apprenticeships​

The FDF roadshows have been organised in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and the National Skills Academy (NSA) for food and drink. “These workshops are designed to assist food businesses who want to understand the business benefits of apprenticeships or who are interested in expanding their existing activity,”​ according to an FDF statement.

Speakers from the NAS and the NSA will advise manufacturers on how to get the most from apprenticeships. Representatives from food manufacturers will share their experiences and apprentices will explain how they started their new careers.

An NAS spokesman said: “the NAS is pleased to be working with the FDF and its members to create high quality apprenticeships within the food manufacturing industry. Apprenticeships are a proven way to develop well-trained staff who are motivated, loyal and will grow with the business.”​

Justine Fosh, director at NSA for food and drink, added: “In the past apprenticeships have been seen as mainly relevant to engineering roles but this is simply not the case now - there are now apprenticeships for the food sector that cover the whole range of job roles in our industry - from craft baker to continuous improvement manager, meat processor to milling operative.” ​

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Business secretary Vince Cable​

National Apprenticeship Week was launched today by business secretary Vince Cable at the headquarters of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills in London.

More than 500 events involving thousands of employers and learners are planned to take place nationwide.

Meanwhile, our sister title Food Manufacture​, in conjunction with the Institute of Food Science & Technology, is organising a free morning seminar at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham on Monday March 26, targeted at HR directors and managers.

The event, which takes place alongside Food and Drink Expo and Foodex shows, will include presentations from the FDF on what is being done to raise the industry's image; the NSA on new training schemes; the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, talking about the latest manufacturing apprenticeship schemes; and the IFST on a new transferable skills initiative.

There will also be presentations from leading manufacturers and young apprentices, who will give a view from the shopfloor.

Skills for a changing world of work takes place from 9.30am until 13.20, on March 26, followed by a buffet lunch.

For more information and to secure your place at this free event, contact Hannah Rosevear on 01293 610431 or email Hannah.Rosevear@wrbm.com.

Watch out for more news about apprenticeships later this week.