Help Us Shape A Successful Food And Drink Industry In Wales

25/05/2011 - Employers working in the Welsh food and drink sector are encouraged to have their say and share their views on future education, training and skills needed by the Welsh Food and Drink Sector.

The Food and Drink Skills Project aims to make sure the Welsh food and drink industry is equipped with the skills needed to meet the challenges of the next ten years. A new online web forum will allow the diverse range of food and drink employers to get involved in this project.

 

To date, nearly 3,000 employers, employees, training providers, colleges, stakeholders and learners have taken part in telephone surveys, focus groups and interviews. So far the feedback has provided a wealth of views, comments, suggestions and observations about the current and future skills needs of the sector. 

This project is now taking the next step and empowering employers to agree, disagree and share further comments to the initial pool of findings.  Employers are invited to take an active part in influencing this particularly important piece of work – the results of which will inform future provision and funding of food and drink education, training and skills development activity. 

The Welsh Assembly Government’s Food Strategy for Wales states “continuing investment in skills development is crucial for improving the performance of the food supply system.  To foster further expansion, the level of skills and knowledge amongst those working in all aspects of the food system must continue to be improved.”

Sian Roberts-Davies, our Food and Drink Skills Development Co-ordinator, said: “It's important that employers contribute so we understand how they need us to support the food and drink supply chain across Wales.”

In order for the Welsh food and drink industry to survive and thrive it will depend on having a highly skilled and motivated workforce.  Play your part and have your say in shaping a successful food and drink industry in Wales and register now. 

This project is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) that also received additional support from the European Social Fund. We run the project in partnership with three other Sector Skills Councils namely; Improve Ltd, People 1st and Skillsmart Retail.