According to a recent article in Food Production Daily, in September, 65 students will start two-year courses at three trial centers in England to learn the necessary skills to enter the food and drink sector. The program was created by Improve, an agency seeking to help bring more qualified workers into the industry.
The average number of workers in the industry lacking qualifications is 19 percent, versus the 11 percent average for the entire UK workforce, the article says.
The article also notes that 118,000 workers will be needed to replace those that retire or switch sectors, and, over the next ten years, 40 to 50 percent of management and senior official positions will be replaced.
The apprenticeships will combine English and math with vocational study and up to 50 days working with a local employer. The trial centers for the program will be Nantwich in Cheshire, Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire and Ipswich in Suffolk, according to the article.