Extra Than 100 Individuals Safe Work in Welsh Meals and Drink Sector

A Welsh Authorities-backed marketing campaign has supported greater than 100 individuals to safe employment within the Welsh food and drinks sector throughout its three-month pilot.

The Meals Workforce Wales marketing campaign was launched earlier this yr to encourage individuals to contemplate a profession in Wales’ food and drinks business and showcase the thrilling and diversified profession alternatives the business has to supply.

Its success in supporting individuals to seek out employment has now seen the scheme prolonged till the tip of November.

Working intently with companies, the marketing campaign has focused a large expertise pool, from current college leavers and faculty or college graduates, by means of to those that need a profession change. A brand new on-line jobs discover board was launched itemizing a number of vacancies which existed throughout the business.

Now getting into a brand new part following its profitable introduction, the undertaking is main the Meals & Drinks Careers Hub 2022 at the Royal Welsh Present. That includes a number of companions and inspirational profession discussions, the hub goals to equip all age teams with the means and methods to resolve, plan and compete for alternatives within the business.

The Welsh Authorities now needs to construct on the profitable three-month pilot part and assist extra individuals safe jobs within the food and drinks business.

Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths who will probably be visiting the Meals & Drinks Careers Hub immediately mentioned:

“I’m very happy the Meals Workforce Wales marketing campaign has helped greater than 100 individuals safe jobs in our food and drinks business – this may very well be seen as seeing no less than one particular person right into a job for on daily basis of the three-month pilot scheme. We’re extending the scheme with the intention of serving to extra people into the sector.

“It’s nice to see companies talking with such ardour in regards to the careers on supply and the hub at the Royal Welsh Present is vital in serving to individuals discover out extra in regards to the numerous, thrilling and rewarding roles and alternatives obtainable.”

From humble beginnings, Peter’s Meals has grown to one in all Wales’s largest employers and one of many largest chilly meat distributors within the UK. As one of many companies who’ve engaged with the undertaking, Coaching Officer, Deborah Jones, mentioned:

“There’s a lot of job alternatives inside Peter’s, akin to manufacturing, meat room and there’s workplace jobs.

“So investing in our workers is de facto essential. It makes them extra assured of their roles and so they really feel extra valued, as a result of they’re able to progress and acquire additional information.

In the meantime, Avara Meals is one in all a number of Welsh food and drinks producers who supply a spread of expert apprenticeships. First yr engineering apprentice Andrew mentioned:

“Avara have been sensible in serving to me facilitate getting again into faculty for retraining and getting as much as the talent degree required to be a multi-skilled engineer.

“I used to be interested in the meals business as a result of the talents coaching is second to none. I benefit from the number of equipment that we get to work on right here and we’re at present present process some upgrades so there’s alternatives to work with robotics, electrics and mechanical engineering.”

Wales’ food and drinks business is booming and never solely placing meals on the nation’s desk, but in addition firmly inserting Wales on the worldwide stage with its world main produce.

Welsh food and drinks exports hit a document excessive in 2021 reaching £641m. Wales additionally had the most important share enhance within the worth of food and drinks exports out of the 4 UK nations between 2020 and 2021 rising by £89 million, a development of 16.1%.

Additional details about Meals Workforce Wales and present job vacancies throughout the business will be discovered at: www.foodskills.cymru/food-workforce-wales/