Building on existing, sector-wide initiatives to address a looming skills shortage, food and drink manufacturers have pledged to increase the number of technical apprenticeships by 20% by 2017.

Launched during National Apprentice Week earlier this month, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF)’s new pledge highlights the importance of cross sector and government collaboration to tackle the barriers to growing high level apprenticeships.

FDF director of competitiveness, Angela Coleshill, says, “Food and drink manufacturing apprenticeships are highly skilled, longer-term, and taken up by more experienced individuals when compared with other sectors. This is fantastic for both employees and employers in the long-term, and we can and must do more to overcome existing barriers, such as access to funding for adult apprentices.

“In 2012, we were able to smash our target and quadruple the number of apprenticeships offered in the sector and, with support from government, we intend to go further and increase high level apprenticeships in the sector by 20% by 2017.”