Food manufacturers’ Linkedin focuses on apprentices

Invited to consider whether food and drink manufacturers understood the role of apprentices,Jon Poole, chief executive of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, admitted that“historically the food sector has been relatively poor at appreciating the benefits of taking on apprentices–some other sectors use this as a key route for attracting and developing new talent.”

But the sector was at last waking up to some of the benefits of developing people through well-structured and designed apprenticeship schemes.“I'm really pleased to see that the comments so far posted suggest real positive support for the role of apprentices within food businesses,”he wrote.

Poole pointed out that one of the benefits of apprenticeship schemes is that“the learner is developing within the business and so integrating into the culture of the organisation while learning”.

Similarly,businesses can improve the quality of their potential graduate candidates by sponsoring students through their degree courses and helping to integrate them into their organisational needs and culture by offering them placements and holiday working opportunities, he added.

Life-changing experience​

David Ortega, owner and director of Icecap Cooling, described his work as an apprentice refrigeration engineer in the food industry in the 1980s as a life-changing experience.“That apprenticeship changed my life. I know it sounds a bit dramatic! I totally agree with apprenticeships within the food industry. By the way, I did my fair share of brewing up!”

Sheena Swift, former ingredients buyer at Fox’s Biscuits, highlighted the apprentice’s personal motivation. Young people could“generate their own career paths by applying some enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge. If you are not getting the desired guidance in your career, I think you can set your own path. It's a shame the industry does not employ 'talent spotters' to try to hone the management of the future”.

One recruiter who complained about the standard of some young workers wasStephen Whyte, business development manager at supply chain firm QADEX.

“As a small but rapidly growing business with circa 50 people, we have been shocked with the poor quality and unreasonable expectations of many graduates recently,”he wrote. “Hence we have now started recruiting a mix of apprentices and graduates.

“Our best apprentices are very good and it is rewarding to see them developing their careers. The government training support seems quite good. With apprentices and graduates, you need to sort through them carefully to pick out the gems who have the skills and attitude to deliver in a work environment. But when you do find the gems they bring a real added dimension to your business."

Blue hairnet image​

Moving on to the wider challenge of attracting a new generation of young talent,Jack Matthewschief executive at the sector skill council Improve, wrote:“The industry has a history of not being seen as a career of choice and the blue hairnet image doesn't help.

“Additionally, as a result of not getting local interest in working in our plants and factories, we are now dependent on migrant workers filling 25% of our jobs.”

But Matthews added that the industry was now in a position to change that perception. “Thesector is increasingly recognised by government both as the largest of the UK's manufacturing sectors and as a real driver of recovery and growth. Crucially, a job in food manufacturing is not seen in as negative a light as before.

"Improve, the sector skills council and the Food and Drink Federation are working together on initiatives to both raise the profile of the sector with school, college and university students and address the shortage of skilled people, particularly looking to solve long-standing shortages through promoting entry through apprenticeships and key roles such as food process engineering.”

Alan Jolly, vice president sales at Viking Masek Global Packaging Technologies, wrote:“Just like other sectors in manufacturing, the food industry is suffering from a continuing fall in numbers of science and technology graduates.

“It is a great industry in which to work but it needs to be better promoted as a career in schools and sixth form colleges.”

Andy Heane, operations manager at Kerry Ingredients, advised:“Offer a career path or apprenticeship rather than just a job. Reinvent graduate intake and set the culture to attract all sectors and levels, not any one in particular.”

To join the debate with nearly 1,450 leading food and drink industry professionals on the Food and Drink Manufacturing Network – powered by Food Manufacture, click here​ or visit http://www.linkedin.com/groups/UK-Food-Drink-Manufacturing-Network-4061415.​