Revitalising skills Food and drink manufacturers have long been calling for more cohesion across the UK skills system to meet employers’ needs and the reform of the current Apprenticeship Levy. Sue Whalley, Group People and Performance Officer at Associated British Foods, thinks that it could be the key: “The Apprenticeship Levy is often not fully utilised; it would be valuable to have a broader set of options to use this for in the innovation space including training and upskilling our people for digital.” The newly created Skills England could provide an opportunity to build a better skills system that works for employers of all sizes with both a national and regional presence. In a recent report 21 , the body identified future mega-trends – demographics, technology and green – that reflect similar trends seen in food and drink manufacturing suggesting that its work will support transformation in the sector.
Through a unified approach, food and drink manufacturing can build a robust, forward-thinking workforce equipped and excited to tackle future opportunities and challenges. The sector can work together to activate talent, drawing the right people in by focusing on purpose, the opportunity to work on complex manufacturing problems, the real world impact the sector offers, and creating a culture where diverse talent can thrive.
21. Driving growth and widening opportunities, Skills England, September (2024)
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