Skills for a changing world of work
HR challenges in a changing climate
A half-day seminar by Food Manufacture and the Institute of Food Science & Technology
Date: Monday, March 26th, 2012
Location: NEC, Birmingham
Britain's food manufacturing sector is facing a potential skills crisis, with an ageing workforce and an image problem that is putting young people off choosing food and drink as a career.
According to Improve, the sector skills council for food and drink manufacture, around 137,000 new recruits will be needed to replace those that will be retiring over the next five years. And, with increasing competition from overseas suppliers, workers within the sector will need to be far more highly trained than in the past to stay ahead of the game.
In addition to shortages of food scientists, the industry is already reporting problems attracting qualified engineers - a problem that is likely to become even more acute as automation becomes more widely adopted.
To examine these issues and highlight various new initiatives being launched to address these problems, Food Manufacture, in conjunction with the Institute of Food Science & Technology, is organising a free morning seminar at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham on Monday March 26, targeted at HR directors and managers.
The event will include presentations from the Food and Drink Federation on what is being done to raise the industry's image; the National Skills Academy on new training schemes; the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, talking about the latest manufacturing apprenticeship schemes; and the IFST on a new transferable skills initiative.
Taking place alongside Food and Drink Expo and Foodex shows, there will also be presentations from leading manufacturers and young apprentices, who will give a view from the shopfloor. Skills for a changing world of work, takes place from 9.30 until 13.20, on March 26, followed by a buffet lunch.
>> See the Agenda for this event
