Wanted: Young talent to work in food manufacturing

20-Jan-2012 - Last updated on 19-Aug-2020 at 08:34 GMT

Poole highlighted the need to attract a new generation of young talent. To find out more about plans to plug the skills gap, book your free place at our half-day seminar on Monday March 26 at the NEC Birmingham. Telephone 01293 610433 for more information

Food and drink manufacturers need urgently to attract a new generation of fresh talent, Jon Poole, chief executive of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) told FoodManufacture.co.uk. In this podcast, recorded at Food Manufacture's Business Leaders' Summit in London last week, he explains the way ahead.

Organisations such as the IFST, the Food and Drink Federation and skills organisation Improve needed to address the misunderstandings the younger generation had about opportunities in the food and drink sector, he said.

Young people should be made aware of the many opportunities in food and drink manufacturing in a way that they did not find patronising, added Poole.

He also praised examples of young people who began work on the shop floor but then, with "significant nuturing", moved on to more significant roles.

Meanwhile, to help plug the skills gap, our sister title Food Manufacture is joining forces with the Institute of Food Science & Technology to organise a free morning seminar at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on Monday March 26.

The event, intended for HR directors and managers, will take place alongside the Food and Drink Expo and Foodex shows. Topping the agenda will be plans to raise the industry's image, new training programmes and information about the latest manufacturing apprenticeship schemes.

To book your free place at the half-day seminar, contact Rachel Cannon on 01293 610433 or email her on Rachel.Cannon@wrbm.com.