The UK food system has a presence in every community across the breadth of the country, it literally gets Britain working. Employing 1 in 8 people, it is the largest private sector employer in the country. 

However, significant labour shortages and skills gaps at all levels of the supply chain are driving risk into the system, and awareness of career opportunities is low. Read more about how labour shortages and skills gaps are likely to put the UK food system under greater pressure in our Resilience report.

To reduce recruitment challenges and promote opportunities in the industry, we need a comprehensive strategy to improve awareness, as outlined in the Independent Labour Review of Shortages in the Food Supply Chain, published in June 2023.

IGD is leading the industry response to the Review with IGD CEO Sarah Bradbury and CEO of Sofina Ash Amirhamadi, co-chairing a Food and Drink Sector Council (FDSC) Workforce and Skills Subcommittee.  

Take action with us

IGD is bringing together industry, government departments, trade associations and key stakeholders in response to the need for greater cohesion throughout the industry. 

Together, we will raise the appeal of working in food and consumer goods to thousands of people by showcasing the attractive, long-term and fulfilling careers we have to offer. 

Contact Sarah McCarthy, Head of IGD’s Employability Programmes, to understand how your business can benefit from the work we are leading to make our industry more appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds, including:

• Promoting the breadth of roles to young people in education, with a focus on links to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects
• Reaching populations of people who, despite wanting to work, have previously been overlooked by employers
• Recruiting harder-to-reach groups, with an opportunity for both workers and employers to benefit from a flexible approach to recruitment and employment practices.

Participation can range from promoting your organisation’s existing outreach activity in our co-ordinated communications campaign to generating awareness through volunteering or creating a partnership with local schools with the support of IGD. 

Contact Sarah at [email protected] to discuss how you can join retailers and manufacturers nationwide to help raise the appeal of working in our industry.