LETTER

Sir​

I would like to respond to Richard Marshall's complaint (Food Manufacture​ June 2006, p14) that not enough students choose to do food science at university. I am a teacher of food technology and we have a group of eight students studying A-level food technology. Some of them are interested in working in the food industry but know little about the opportunities available.

I have spent hours on the phone trying to organise visits to companies so that they can get some first-hand experience and, it is hoped, some inspiration. Unfortunately, I cannot find a single firm that will allow us to come and look at a large-scale manufacturing plant.

How can we expect students to opt for careers in industries that they know so little about and that are doing so little to promote themselves to young people?

Rather than complaining about schools not being pro-active and up-to-date in their knowledge, it would be better for Marshall to compile a database of companies that would allow students to view their facilities or perhaps that could send a representative into schools to talk about their work.

There are many teachers that would be only too happy to promote food technology and science to their students but cannot make the links with industry that will ultimately inspire their students to choose a career in this area.

Paula Waller​

Queensmead School​

South Ruislip​