Apprentices vital to food and drink

Modern Apprenticeships are at the centre of a plan to support the growth of Scotland’s £12.5 billion food and drink industry.

It is forecast that thousands of job opportunities will become available in the sector over the next five years as a result of retirement and expansion.Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead and Minister for Youth Employment, Angela Constance, joined forces at the Royal Highland Show today to highlight the importance of attracting young people to work in the industry, which is one of Scotland’s key economic sectors.The Food and Drink Skills Investment Plan has been developed by a range of partners including Skills Development Scotland, Scotland Food & Drink, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Lantra and Improve.

The four strategic priorities outlined in the plan are:

·          Raising the attractiveness of the sector to new entrants

·          Supporting company capacity to innovate

·          Delivering leadership and management excellence in the sector

·          Supporting the development of skills for growth in the workplace

Launching the initiative, Mr Lochhead said:

"Scotland is rightly hailed as a land of food and drink, with our wonderful produce recognised the world over, and we want to build on our reputation at every turn.

"Food and drink is a Scottish success story at a time when other industries are struggling due to tough economic conditions. The Food and Drink Skills Investment Plan will help the industry flourish, encouraging closer working between the public and private sector as well as highlighting the fantastic career opportunities on offer to young people across Scotland.

"Four years ago there were less than 100 food and drink Modern Apprentices and now there are more than 1,000. This represents a huge vote of confidence by the industry in a process that allows them to ‘grow their own’ skilled people to meet the need of their business."
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