Nexnet

Under previous regimes, the occupants of Whitehall made it perfectly clear that they saw food and drink as having little economic significance to this country.

 

Indeed, in one of the last key policy documents published under the auspices of the former government, the first ever National Skills Audit entitled Skills for Jobs: Today and Tomorrow, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills dismissed food and drink as one of the least significant sectors in terms of likely future contribution to the economy and investment in skills.

 

This understandably caused something of a stir in the industry. To label an industry which, across the whole food supply chain, employs some 3.6 million people, is worth £155 billion a year and has seen export value grow for the past five consecutive years in spite of the recession, as of low economic significance defies credibility. A position recently argued in the press by Paul Grimwood, chief executive of Nestle, the world’s largest food company, and by Ralph Warburton.

 

The arguments for investment in and support for the food and drink industry are clear. A more sustainable, productive, technologically advanced and self-sufficient industry is needed to cut environmental impact, offer security of supply and tackle health concerns. It will also create jobs and boost trade at home and abroad.

 

Key industry stakeholders, from farmers to manufacturers to retailers, eagerly await hearing the new government’s plans for supporting this vision.

 

For further information, go to www.improve-skills.co.uk.

 

 

 

Ends

 

Improve is part of the network of sector skills councils established by the government to take the lead in driving up skills in the workplace in order to promote higher productivity and stronger competitiveness for UK businesses in the global market. Funded primarily by the government, sector skills councils are also supported by employers whose needs they represent when stimulating change among the providers of education and skills. Sector skills councils work closely with employers to promote greater commitment to improving skills in their workforces, and with schools, colleges, universities, and private training organisations to improve the provision of basic skills training and to make vocational and occupational training more relevant to the modern commercial climate.

 

 

Issued on behalf of Improve, the food and drink sector skills council, www.improveltd.co.uk, by Nexnet PR, Leeds, www.nexnet.co.uk. For further information call Nexnet on 0113 247 0029 or email paul.newham@nexnet.co.uk or joanne.mead@nexnet.co.uk.