IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) is urging the food and drink industry to commit to \u201cFeeding Britain\u2019s Future\u201d, a movement that aims to mobilise the scale and diversity of the food system to equip young people to work and progress in the industry.<\/p>\n
The initiative\u2019s ultimate goal is to reverse NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) numbers and inspire a generation to make their career in food and drink.<\/p>\n
Naomi Kissman, Social Impact Director at IGD, commented: \u201cNearly a million young people are neither learning nor earning, they are the Gen Z NEETs, and the number is growing. They face a \u2018jobpocalypse\u2019 and the nation faces a lost generation as living costs rise and entry level employment opportunities dwindle.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeanwhile the food industry has its own quiet crisis brewing \u2013 workforce shortages and skills gaps mean as an industry that is relied on by everyone, every day, we risk affecting future availability and customer service. Addressing these challenges is not only a social imperative, but a commercial one \u2013 strengthening the future workforce on which our entire food system depends.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are currently 946,000 or 1 in 8 young adults NEET and with food and drink businesses struggling to fill essential roles, Feeding Britain\u2019s Future is relaunching with a renewed focus.<\/p>\n
Feeding Britain\u2019s Future aims to help the industry address its long-term workforce shortages and skills gaps, by offering pathways and purpose to the next generation:<\/p>\n
Scale meaningful engagement through Schools employability workshops
To reach over 50,000 students annually from 2027 through employability workshops that build essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and commercial awareness while bringing the food industry to life through real employer insights and interaction. Offer modernised work experience
Move beyond traditional, limited placements to a blended model of work experience, combining virtual experiences, employer-led projects, site visits, and short placements making access more scalable, inclusive, and relevant to today\u2019s workforce.Equip the influencers who shape career choices
We will provide high-quality, accessible resources via careers platforms for students, teachers, and parents recognising that awareness of food careers is often low, and that teachers and parents are critical enablers in shaping perceptions and decisions.<\/p>\n
Simon Roberts, Sainsbury\u2019s CEO, commented: \u201cGreat jobs and brilliant people sit behind the good food we serve to our customers everyday but many young people today are struggling to get the experience they need to develop a fulfilling, vibrant career in our industry. Partnerships that open doors to opportunity, build skills and help people get real experience of roles across the food sector are essential to supporting future careers. We’re proud to be supporting the IGD’s Feeding Britian’s Future programme, to help young people gain the experience they need to thrive in careers across our food system.\u201d<\/p>\n