Industry raises skills concerns with government

Senior executives from some of the UK’s leading food and drink manufacturers have had the chance to share their concerns about the sector’s skills shortages with Phil Hope, Minister for Skills.

The top-level meeting was arranged by Improve, the food and drink sector skills council, to give employers the opportunity to discuss with the minister their views on how the private and public sectors can work together to help raise skills levels within the industry. It was attended by senior personnel from companies such as Nestle, Britvic, RHM, Masterfoods, Northern Foods and Dairy Crest.

Jack Matthews, chief executive of Improve, said: "The meeting was a huge success. Talking to key industry figures will have given the minister a clearer understanding of the needs of employers concerning the skills issues within the sector, and helped employers to understand the government’s commitment to help.

"The issues covered were wide-ranging, including the funding of vocational qualifications, the impact of immigration controls on the workforce, and how the DfES can help promote careers in the sector, and the training schemes on offer.

"The minister was impressed with the work done by the partnership between Improve and employers to date, and pledged support for ongoing initiatives, such as the Green Card - the skills passport for the industry, and the establishment of the National Skills Academy, for which funding has just been approved."