Careers Advisors Lack Understanding of Food Industry Says UK Survey of Top Employers

More than four fifths (83%) of those questioned also said that cutting red tape would help to scale up apprenticeships, with 57% saying the same about work experience.

6/22/2011 --- Nearly nine in ten (87% of) HR professionals working in food and grocery said they would work more with universities and schools if careers advisors had a better understanding of the industry and business needs, according to a survey by food and grocery analysts IGD.

More than four fifths (83%) of those questioned also said that cutting red tape would help to scale up apprenticeships, with 57% saying the same about work experience.

Other findings from the survey demonstrate the food industry’s commitment to address the skills gap:

•    55% of respondents are raising their training and development budget
•    54% will offer more work place visits
•    57% are to provide more support to school projects and 53% to conduct more classroom talks

The findings are revealed at IGD’s Skills and Employability Summit, taking place at the British Museum. Following last year’s inaugural Skills and Employment Summit, under the auspices of IGD, an Employability Pledge was launched to support the prospects of thousands of people across the country. This commitment from businesses in the food and grocery industry aims to help people of all ages and backgrounds by providing them with opportunities to learn, develop and gain experience. For example, companies signed up to the pledge have already committed to providing a total of 25,000 apprenticeships.

Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive, IGD, said: “Our industry provides one in seven of all jobs in the UK, more than any other sector – and there’s huge potential for that number to grow. Not only is it important that we continue to train and develop those currently working in the industry, but we also need to enthuse and excite the next generation about working in food and retailing.

“Our industry is all-embracing – it doesn’t matter whether you are on the production line, the shop floor, in the head office or on the road. Wherever you start you have the opportunity to rise to the top. Careers advisers need to appreciate that, and we in the industry need to help them understand the range of opportunities for young people to embark on fantastic careers.

“Since the launch of the Employability Pledge, it’s encouraging to see so many companies across the entire industry investing in future talent and giving individuals the opportunity to learn and develop their skills for a better future. It shows how companies of all sizes are, and will continue to be, a big engine of job creation in the economy.”

The Skills and Employability Summit 2011 is a further commitment to build momentum behind the pledge and to raise the profile of careers in food and grocery. Speakers at the event include Jim Paice MP and John Hayes MP as well as key figures from across the industry.

For examples and case studies of individual companies that have signed up to the pledge, please visit www.igd.com/employabilitypledge