Government impressed by industry skills initiative

29-Nov-2013 - Last updated on 17-Aug-2020 at 07:55 GMT

Government skills minister Matthew Hancock has been impressed by an initiative aimed at fully training tomorrow’s food industry workers, spearheaded by the National Skills Academy (NSA) for Food and Drink.

Hancock welcomed the Food and Drink Industrial Partnership and Employer Ownership of Skills plan, which stakeholders have been pressing government to fund, at the Food and Drink NSA’s Skills Roundtable 2013 in London.

The NSA pitched for £26M for the programme, which unites the industry, training providers and local groups to tailor and offer practical training and careers opportunities.

‘Impressed by bid’

Hancock was tight-lipped about the level of potential funding the government might endorse, but was "impressed by the bid”, which fitted its strategy. “Where it’s relevant we want to make sure where funding goes is driven by the needs of employers.”

In this exclusive podcast recorded after the roundtable on November 21, Justine Fosh, ceo of the NSA for Food and Drink and Improve, gives FoodManufacture.co.uk her response to Hancock’s comments.

“The event yet again highlighted the fact that the contribution made by the food and drink manufacturing sector is now recognised by government,” said Fosh.

“It underlined the evident desire within the industry to collaborate on shared challenges such as skills for growth and new employment opportunities – particularly employment opportunities for young people."

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