Food industry is ‘almost invisible’ to students

Michael Rudge, process technologist with Bakkavor, told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “I am glad that I have found myself in this industry, but I think it is unfortunate that there are people searching for a career path, who don’t even consider food. ​

“In my opinion this is because the UK food industry is almost invisible to students and young people, that the industry needs so desperately for its survival.”​

‘Consider a career in food’​

Lacking advice from school careers advisors, Rudge fell into the food industry by accident. “It was only because of my enjoyment of home baking and working at a local farm shop that made me consider a career in food. It wasn’t until I started study that I realised how vast and dynamic the UK food industry is.” ​

Rudge will be joining a panel of expert speakers for the debate – Plugging the skills gap in food and drink manufacturing – which will take place at 10:45 next Tuesday on the Centre Stage.

Other speakers include: Jon Poole, ceo, Institute of Food Science & Technology, Justine Fosh, chief executive, National Skills Academy for Food and Drink, Derek Williams, standards and quality director, FDQ.

The panel will consider how best food and drink manufacturers can attract 170,300 new recruits by 2020.

Free-to-attend Big Video Debates​

Other free-to-attend Big Video Debates will feature: Learning the lessons of the horsemeat crisis, the latest updates on how social media can help or hinder food manufacturers and lean and green manufacturing. Each session will last between 45 minutes and one hour and will include a brief presentation from each speaker before a panel discussion led by a presenter.

Visitors to the show will also have an opportunity to put their questions directly to our expert panels towards the end of each debate.

All debates will take place on the Centre Stage. Each debate will be filmed and the highlights will appear on FoodManufacture.co.uk.

Foodex takes place at the National Exhibition Centre, near Birmingham between Monday March 24 and Wednesday March 26. More information about the event is available here.​

Big Video Debates at Foodex​

Social media: threat or opportunity for food and drink manufacturers​

Monday March 24, from 10.45 to 11.45.

Speakers:

• Richard Clothier, Wyke Farms md
• Jack Hamilton, Mash Direct, marketing manager
• Paul Bradley, National Farmers Union senior social media adviser
• Presenter: Mike Stones, Food Manufacture Group

Horsemeat over one year on: Could it happen again?​

Monday March 24, from 14.15 to 15.15.

Speakers:

• Ed Beddington, group editor Meat Trades Journal
• Mark Driscoll, head of food at Forum for The Future
• Nick Allen, EBLEX sector director
• Lord Rooker, former chairman Food Standards Agency
• Professor Paul Dobson, head of Norwich Business School
• Elizabeth Andoh-Kesson, British Retail Consortium, food policy advisor and lead report, Elliott review
• Dominic Watkins, DWF law firm partner and head of food group
• Presenter: Rod Addy, Food Manufacture Group

Plugging the skills gap in food and drink manufacturing​

Tuesday March 25, from 11.45 to 12.30.

Speakers:

• Jon Poole, IFST, ceo
• Justine Fosh, the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink, chief executive
• Michael Rudge, Bakkavor, process technologist
• Derek Williams, standards and quality director, FDQ.
• Presenter: Mike Stones

Lean and green manufacturing: Challenges and opportunities​

Tuesday March 25, from 14.30 to 15.30.

Speakers:

• Mike Wilson, president, British Automation and Robot Association and general industry sales and marketing manager, ABB Robotics
• Michael Taylor, business development manager, National Skills Academy for Food & Drink and former operations manager, Fosters Bakery
• Professor Peter Hines, SA Partners, chairman
• Presenter: Rod Addy

Don’t forget each Big Video Debate is free to attend, will last no longer than one hour and takes place on the Centre Stage.