The food manufacturing industry will need to add at least 137,000 employees to its ranks within the next six years, a new report has warned, many of which will be needed in engineering and management roles.
The UK Food Supply Chain report said as the industry becomes more automated, with machines taking over the roles of many factory workers, the skills needed to operate and maintain these machines will be more in demand.
Angela Coleshill, director of competitiveness at the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), said there is "certainly appetite for investment" in skills, and a number of FDF initiatives will aim to promote the sector to school leavers and graduates.
"In partnership with Improve and universities, FDF is seeking to become directly involved in the implementation of food and drink degree courses by offering undergraduates work placements and internships," she said.
A recent FDF business confidence survey revealed that many manufacturers are continuing to invest in innovation, with over 40 per cent of companies surveyed launching new products in the first quarter of the year.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the food manufacturing industry includes:
