FoodDrinkEurope: Targeted Action Needed to Ensure Future of Sector

5 Nov 2013 --- EFFAT and FoodDrinkEurope, Europe’s food and drink manufacturing and processing industry (FDMP) social partners, published today a major research project on employment and skills in FDMP. The study was presented at a high level conference in Brussels attended by distinguished speakers from the European Commission, academia, trade unions and industry representatives.

The study, conducted by Improve, provides an up-to-date economic analysis of the structure and demographic composition of the FDMP sector and workforce. It also illuminates current and emerging workforce skills and competence needs, gathers best practice examples of employability and up-skilling measures, and lists jobs and career progression pathways in the sector.

The social partners urge policymakers at EU and national level to take note of the study’s findings to ensure the continued growth and competitiveness of the food and drink sector, Europe’s largest manufacturing sector in terms of turnover and employment and one of the few to perform strongly throughout the economic crisis. In particular, they call for targeted policy measures from the European Commission that will better connect the worlds of business and education, and exploit the potential of new technologies to drive up qualifications and foster innovation.

More innovative approaches to recruitment, including apprenticeships, improved succession planning, career development pathways and job enhancement techniques, as well as a culture of lifelong learning are essential for the future of European FDMP.

The study findings will set the agenda for the future work of the social partners, who have already led numerous joint initiatives since the European Social Dialogue for the food and drink industry was launched in January 2012

Speaking at the event in Brussels, Harald Wiedenhofer, EFFAT General Secretary said:
“Supporting greater use of social dialogue between the social partners in the FDMP sector should be encouraged. Social dialogue has made a significant contribution to the design of effective solutions to labour market and skills challenges in the EU countries where it has been used”.

Speaking at the launch of the study, the Chair of FoodDrinkEurope’s Social Dialogue Platform, Michael Andritzky said: “In some European countries, demographic change has already affected business practice. The recruitment of new employees, the further development of existing staff and keeping the skillset of older staff up to date are huge challenges for companies. In almost all other countries, these issues will be lining up in the near future. With our project we want to showcase how companies adapt and we hope that other companies will benefit from this experience. Through these efforts, the social partners can have a successful impact depending on national circumstances.”

This Project VP/2012/001/0021 is co-financed by the European Commission.