Why food industry misses out on young talent

What has become increasingly noticeable, however, is that the sector now appears more aware of the need to tackle the problem and, encouragingly, there are some significant projects and programmes already planned, or being delivered, with the specific objective of addressing the skills shortage.

One excellent example of the food sector getting behind the skills agenda is the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council-funded Advanced Training Partnerships, introduced just over a year ago with the aim of developing higher level research skills from within the sector. Although companies can send employees on individual modules, the longer-term aim is to encourage the next generation of technical leaders by offering a route to achieve a masters or doctorate level qualification – and the good news is that at the moment these modules are heavily subsidised. 

‘Graduate Excellence’​

Another high-profile project is the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF’s) ‘Graduate Excellence’ programme, which has the initial aim of delivering the UK food sector’s only dedicated food engineering degree course. This new masters level food engineering course is being developed in conjunction with Improve/National Skills Academy through Sheffield Hallam University. But it could not deliver the carefully tailored programme without the huge backing of the FDF’s member companies, which will be expected to provide the tailored sector-specific experience elements for the course. 

Yet another great initiative is the Chilled Food Association’s ‘Chilled Education’ programme. This is targeted at teachers and students in secondary education and aims to enthuse students to choose a technical-based career in the chilled food sector. It does so by providing a range of exciting and fun teaching resources from fridge thermometers to ‘Top Trumps’ cards and even micro bacteria themed tattoos – temporary, of course!

‘Chilled Education’​

Of course, the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST) is, itself, focused on a number of activities aimed at encouraging more interest in food science and technology, for example, through its technician level professional recognition. We estimate that there are more than 100,000 technicians in the food sector working in roles from quality assurance and food safety through to sensory testing. Professional registration at this level will provide much-needed status and recognition.

IFST’s latest project, ‘FoodStart’ is linked to its 50th Jubilee activities next year (2014). This will provide an online system to facilitate the offering of work placements at all levels from secondary school work experience through to university sandwich year placements.

‘FoodStart’​

The above examples are high profile but are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is being offered by the sector. The list goes on – the grocery think-tank IGD and its ‘Feeding the Future’ work, Coca-Cola Enterprises and its range of education centres, as well as the hundreds, if not thousands, of initiatives provided by individual companies directly to local schools and colleges.

Yet, despite all of this positive activity, there is one vital ingredient (excuse the pun) missing, which I believe still means the sector is not harnessing these activities to effectively attract talent into the food sector. That ingredient is coherence. If I were a student thinking about my career options, where would I look to seek out the opportunities in the food sector? That is, of course, if I even have a mind to be considering the food sector in the first place.

As a student or teacher, I might happen across one or perhaps a couple of these great resources but I would have to do some serious research to find out the scope of the support available. 

Credible career​

The message really needs to be – ‘The food sector is a great place to work and one where you can build a sustainable and credible career. We, as a sector, are so serious about this, that we’ve all pulled together to make it easy for you to find out about the whole range of resources available to you.’ 

But currently we don’t and, as a result, we are missing out to other sectors such as aerospace, automotive and biotech. 

My strong recommendation is that we approach this as we do with our food products – that is, by thinking about it from the user or consumer experience. We are putting so much effort into our individual projects and yet, just missing that last step of finding a way to make it easily accessible from the point of view of the student or careers adviser.

So, let me thank all of those who are helping in some way towards this overall goal of attracting more skills into the sector. But please, let’s look what we need to do to go that extra step to ensure we work together for the good of the whole sector.

• Jon Poole is chief executive of the IFST