Employers urged to advertise roles

Employers are being urged to get 2015 off to the best possible start by advertising their work placement opportunities for free on FoodStart.

The IFST initiative, which was launched last autumn and is backed by chef Jamie Oliver, aims to address the serious skills shortage facing the food and drink industry.

The online system is designed to help students get work placements with food and drink companies, from school and university-based programmes to graduate placements and internships.

The service allows food employers to advertise their work experience placements free of charge. Students can then browse and apply for the advertised positions – also free of charge – while building a portfolio of their achievements.

The FoodStart website has already attracted support from the likes of Warburtons, Waitrose, Cornelius Group, Adelie, FTC, Barfoots, R-Biopharm Rhone, Leatherhead Food Research and Campden BRI.

“As we start a new year, we’re urging employers to make use of this fantastic new portal and advertise their work placement opportunities,” says IFST chief executive, Jon Poole. “Unless we address the serious skills shortage now, we’re going to be seriously struggling to find the predicted 170,000 employees that the UK food industry will need in just five years’ time.”

To place your work placement online free of charge, visit www.foodstart.org.uk.

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