Food industry response to A-level results day
15 August 2014
Food industry response to A-level results day
Responding to today's A-Level results which show that take up of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects have increased for the fifth year in a row[*], Caroline Keohane, Competitiveness Policy Manager at the Food and Drink Federation, said:
“The growing popularity of STEM subjects amongst A-Level students is cause for celebration for Britain's food and drink manufacturers. The future success of the UK's largest manufacturing sector depends on its ability to secure a pipeline of talented individuals with skills in these areas.
“But the industry knows that more must be done to encourage young people with these skills to consider a career in food and drink. Through initiatives like the creation of the UK's first MEng Food Engineering degree, Britain's food and drink brands are taking action to attract a skilled, future workforce, especially in engineering roles where employer demand is highest.
“With 170,300 vacancies expected between 2010 and 2020 across a variety of job roles, students hungry for future career success should look at what this sector can offer them.
“Under Government's 'Your Life' campaign, companies are also playing their part to address the gender gap in students studying STEM subjects by building understanding of what it is like to work in this dynamic and growing sector, and the many routes into industry on offer.”
Notes for editors
- The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector.
- The MEng Food Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University has been developed by Graduate Excellence, a partnership between the Food and Drink Federation, the National Skills Academy for Food Drink and Sheffield Hallam University. www.foodengineer.co.uk
- In May 2014, the government set out national ambitions for greater participation in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) especially amongst women. FDF and our members supported the new campaign called 'Your Life' by creating our own pledge to attract women into STEM careers in our industry. http://www.fdf.org.uk/stem-pledge.aspx
- The National Skills Academy for Food Drink is the food and drink manufacturing industry's skills body.
More information
Contact Anna Taylor, Communications Division, at: anna.taylor@fdf.org.uk, or 0207 420 7118.
For FDF's policy positions and background on key issues, go to our Policy section.
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