Industry backing ‘critical’ for skills framework

The government yesterday (November 24) pledged to invest £1.7M in the UK food and drink manufacturing sector through the programme, which aims to increase jobs, growth and competitiveness in the sector.

Jack Matthews, chief executive of sector skills council Improve, believes it is now vital that the industry follows suit and matches the government’s pledge.

The industry has already agreed to match the £1.7M from government as part of the agreement but Matthews is now calling on firms to deliver on this promise through cash, time and support.

He told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “We have managed to influence government to see this as a sector of growth and opportunity. The government has done its bit and started to address the serious issues facing the industry.​

“What is now even more critical is that the sector matches government and puts its money where its mouth is.​”

Matthews said that employers now need to invest in skills for those coming into the industry but also provide support for access to further skills for those already working in the sector.

Employment training​

“Not only do we want young people to be attracted to working in the industry but this funding and further backing from industry will allow us to help people at any level with substantial employment training,​” he added.

His comments were echoed by Justine Fosh, director of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink.

Fosh called on the industry to provide additional support for the project to tackle misconceptions about the industry and make it appeal as a “sector of choice​” for graduates and young people.

“This funding will substantially increase the opportunities that can be realised by people coming in to the sector. It is not just about attracting people to the industry but retaining them in the future​,” she said.

One key issue facing the industry, according to Improve, is a dependency on migrant labour due to a lack of skills training available to workers from the UK.

Fosh believes that the extra training provided by the project will allow the industry to select from a more “level playing field".​

Talent pool​

She told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “Previously businesses were faced with a choice between unskilled workers from the UK or skilled workers from the EU.​

“Now we will be able increase the talent pool and have the opportunity to take on either skilled people from the UK or from Europe.​”

John Poole, chief executive of the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST), described the government’s pledge as “a relief​” but warned that “this is just the start​”.

He told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “It has provided the necessary start-up to address the future of the industry. But this is just the start and will take years to see fruition.​

“It is a great starting point and over the next few years it will have to become self-reliant and not rely on government funding​.”

The new skills framework programme is being backed by the IFST, Improve and the Food and Drink Federation. Support is also being provided by William Reed Business Media, publisher of FoodManufacture.co.uk.