The UK’s food and drink manufacturing industry has pledged to create career opportunities and upskill its existing workforce by doubling the number of apprentices in the sector.

The announcement was made by BBC TV’s The Apprentice winner Tim Campbell (pictured) at the Food and Drink Federation’s recent Community Partnership Awards. He highlighted the fact that, currently, the industry employs around 1,700 apprentices – but revealed that food and drink manufacturers are now pledging to double this to 3,400 by the end of 2012.

“Food and drink is the UK’s largest manufacturing industry and it is important that it develops and retains skilled people in order that it continues to flourish and support the country’s economy,” says Campbell. “We need to create opportunities for young people to come in to the workforce through routes other than a degree path and I’m delighted to be able to announce a doubling of the apprenticeships on offer in future.”