While labour and skills gaps persist throughout the food and drink industry, data shows engineers are among the hardest to fill with 48% of recruiting mangers in the food sector agreeing.
Nestlé’s recent polling1 found that while 16.77% of males said they would like to work in the sector, only 5.47% of females said the same.
The gap is just as clear when asked about the appeal of the sector, with 74.37% of males describing a career in manufacturing or engineering as interesting, compared to 52.04% of females.
That’s why awareness days like Women in Engineering Day matter. Taking place late last month (23 June), the annual event offers the chance to shine a spotlight on the achievements of female engineers in the food and drink industry, as well as the incredible career paths and opportunities open to future generations.
Nestlé’s Academy and Graduate programmes is one example of how the industry is creating clear and supportive opportunities for young people into engineering.
By investing in early careers, these schemes can help shift perceptions and build confidence.
Meet Chloe
It’s also why 19-year-old Chloe Mortis’ story is important in bringing to life what an engineering career can look like for young people in the food and drink sector.
Job title
Multiskilled engineering apprentice
What inspired you to pursue an engineering apprenticeship?
A: I’ve always been interested in understanding how things work and why we need them, so I chose an engineering role because I enjoy solving problems and finding solutions that make a real impact.
Engineering felt like the right fit for me because it’s constantly evolving. The environment challenges me to continuously learn, adapt and create solutions for complex problems, which keeps the work rewarding and engaging.
Can you talk me through your route into engineering?
A: My route into engineering started from a young age. Growing up, I was always surrounded by cars and motorbikes, and it wasn’t unusual to see engine rebuilds taking place on the dining room table. Being in that environment gave me an early interest in engineering.
I initially started a college course in motorsport. I enjoyed the course and the automotive side of it, but as I finished my first year and began my second, I realised what interested me most wasn’t just motorsport, but instead understanding how things work; the designs and how engineering is applied to solve problems. So, I switched onto an engineering course early on in my second year and had the chance to learn new skills.
During this time, I developed a particular interest in CAD. I enjoyed the design process and turning ideas into models and drawings. It’s a skill that I still enjoy developing today, and I’m always keen to learn new techniques.
I’ve always learnt best through practical experience, so wanted to be hands on, applying what I was learning in an engineering environment rather than just in a classroom. That led me to an apprenticeship with Nestlé, as it offered the opportunity to gain experience while continuing to develop my technical knowledge and skills.
I’m now a multiskilled engineering apprentice at Nestlé’s Wisbech site, and I’ll have been here for a year in August.
For me, an apprenticeship was the ideal route because it combined practical work with ongoing learning, allowing me to build a strong foundation for the long-term engineering career I want.
How did you find the academy process?
A: My personal experience with the academy was great. In the interview stages, everyone I met was welcoming and always more than happy to answer any questions or direct me to someone who could help.
During the few months leading up to starting in my new role, there was plenty of information shared about working life and the support available if needed. We also had an academy on-boarding day where we visited the Nestlé York site and took part in different activities across the three days we were there.
- Conducted by Censuswide on behalf on Nestlé UK&I, comprising a survey of 2,000 UK young people aged 16-24, conducted between 28.01.2026 and 02.02.2026.
