Survey reveals skills shortage concern

A new survey by specialist recruitment consultancy Jam has revealed widespread concerns that a skills shortage could potentially leave the UK lagging behind international rivals in food and drink manufacturing.

The report, which quizzed more than 750 food and drink manufacturing professionals, highlights a shortage of talented candidates that is threatening to the industry’s future competitiveness, according to Jam/

“The USA was cited as the biggest international rival by half of respondents and there are worries it could claim a monopoly on the market if UK manufacturers fail to plug the skills gap,” says Jam’s Samantha Tildsley. “Forty-six per cent of respondents said their company is struggling to find candidates with high level skills, and a similar number believe that young people emerging from education without the necessary skills for work will pose the greatest risk to the sector in the next 10 years.

“High profile acquisitions of British food and drink manufacturers such as the takeover of Cadbury by US-based Kraft Foods will be fresh in the minds of many, so it’s little surprise that our respondents expressed concern at how the UK is performing against international competitors.”