Research published today by the IGD has found that 80% of food manufacturers and retailers expect to increase their training and development budget per head over the next 10 years.
The research was being unveiled by Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive at the IGD, at the Employment and Skills Summit today in London.
Other findings from the research include that one-fifth (19%) of companies expect their training and development budget to increase by more than 25%.’Leadership’ was a top priority for over half (55%) of the companies questioned, when asked what the key areas were for skills development in their businesses.
When asked to predict how the balance of in-house versus externally delivered training will have changed by 2020, answers were evenly split between ‘more in-house’ (32%), ‘no change’ (30%), and ‘more external’ (32%)
Denney-Finch said: “Food is the largest manufacturing industry. In Britain, the food industry is truly world class. It is recognised in every country as a centre of excellence for its operating standards, consumer focus and pace of innovation.
“Along the chain, we employ 3.6m people – that’s one in seven of the workforce. Even in tough times, it’s crucial for companies to keep investing in skills and harness the talent and energy of a new generation.
“This will be an exceptionally challenging decade and the future is in our hands.”
Today’s event brings together key decision makers from food and grocery to address the issues of unemployment and wasted skills potential in the UK. Other speakers at the event include: Yvette Cooper MP, Lord Freud, Justin King (Sainsbury’s), Andy Clarke (Asda) and Lucy Neville-Rolfe (Tesco).
The Summit will cover three central themes:
1. Skills gaps – what will the food industry need from the education system in the future?
2. Youth employment – what can the food sector do to give young people a chance?
3. Staff development – how can food companies equip their people with skills for a new era?
Source:IGD
