7 May 2014

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Today, food industry representatives including FDF's Barbara Gallani, named recently as one the Science Council's Top 100 Leading Scientists, launched the Government's 'Your Life' campaign. A national campaign which partners educators, industry and government to boost female participation in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The campaign's aim is to support a change in how women and girls are encouraged to consider STEM careers and the subject choices or vocational pathways.

Food and drink, the UK's largest manufacturing sector, employs up to 400,000 people. Despite steady industry growth, an ageing workforce means that between 2010 and 2020 food and drink businesses will need to recruit 170,300 individuals. With 20% of food and drink businesses reporting skills gaps, particularly in science and engineering roles, and women being under-represented in our sector, (34% of the workforce versus an all industries average of 46%) there is a clear need to attract highly skilled, talented women to meet our future demand.

By encouraging more young women to study STEM subjects and promoting the food and drink industry as an attractive career opportunity, our sector has a real opportunity to support and engage with young women who wish to build an exciting and successful career.

Melanie Leech, Director General at Food and Drink Federation said: “I am delighted that food and drink will be contributing to the national aspirations to double the number of women studying engineering and technology degrees at undergraduate level by 2030 and boost the number of women pursuing careers in engineering and technology. FDF's pledge will raise the profile of women in technology and engineering careers in food and drink manufacturing. Following today's launch we will champion the pledge with the 7,700 food and drink businesses in the UK to increase the numbers of women involved in food science and engineering.”

Education Minister Elizabeth Truss said: “Rising numbers of people are taking maths and physics A levels – but it is still very low. Too many teenagers, especially girls, don't realise that maths and physics get you everywhere. They have the highest earnings and can open doors to careers in business, journalism, technology, engineering - in fact anything you can probably think of.

“That is why I'm so pleased to see some of the UK's top businesses and organisations showing their commitment by signing the 'Your Life' call to action and committing to recruit more science and maths students. Together we can ensure young people have the skills they need to succeed in life and help the UK compete on a global scale.”

Note for editors

1. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector. For more information about FDF and the industry we represent visit: www.fdf.org.uk
2. Further information regarding the Government's new STEM compact and FDF's pledge
3. FDF's pledge is supported by our members, including: Agrico UK Ltd, Britvic Plc, Cargill Plc, KP Snacks, Mars, Mondelez International, Nestlé UK, PepsiCo, Premier Foods and United Biscuits.
4. These stats have been extracted from Improve Ltd, Labour Market Intelligence, 2012-2013
5. According to Improve Ltd, Skills Insights and Labour Market Facts about the Food Drink Manufacturing Industry in the UK 2013-2014 34% of the food and drink industry are women in comparison to an all industries average of 46%.
6. Barbara Gallani FDF Director of Regulation, Science and Health was recognised by the Science Council as one of the top 100 leading professional scientists in the UK. Access the full list of the top 100 scientists here: 100 leading UK practising scientists.

More information

For more information please contact the press team:

Avni Raval on 020 7420 7131 Email: Avni.Raval@fdf.org.uk

Marita Upeniece on 020 7420 7140 Email: Marita.Upeniece@fdf.org.uk

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