Potential Employee

Food and Drink Manufacturing is one of the largest industries in the UK, employing over 650,000 people across the UK and turning over £64 billion every year.

As you might expect from an industry of this size and scale, the jobs available are endless. If you are interested in a career in food science, would like to gain a qualification in bakery or butchery or would like to take part in an apprenticeship for a major food company, this website will tell you how…

As the Sector Skills Council for Food and Drink, Improve has been established to help you as a potential industry employee, to get involved with food and drink manufacturing.

The links on the left indicate some of the areas through which Improve can help you. In addition, you will find lots of useful information, industry news and success stories from other industry employees and potential employees who have benefited from and enjoyed training. Please click on the link on the left which best meets your needs, alternatively if you cannot find exactly what you want there is a search facility at the top of the page.

Academy and Green Card
Currently in its early stages, the Academy is to be the prestigious UK-wide centre of learning for all people currently involved or who would like to get involved in the food and drink industry. The Academy will not deliver courses itself, but will act as a facilitator or gateway to training, in partnership with the Government, Food and Drink Industry, education sector and training providers.

Potential employees can participate in the Academy to gain skills relevant to their required job or can gain a nationally-recognised introductory level qualification to the industry by taking part in the Green Card. The Green Card will provide you with all the necessary skills you will need to get involved in the industry making you more employable. Click here to find out more about how the Academy or Green Card.

Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme for young people aged between 16 and 24 years of age. It provides you with the first step towards a long-term career. If you would like to have a career in food and drink, an apprenticeship will show employers your commitment to the industry, while you will get paid to learn more about the job you want. Click on the Apprenticeship link to find out more.

Careers and Vacancies
Recruitment is a major issue in the food and drink industry. If you know the job you want and are looking for current vacancies or if you want to find out about the different jobs available to you, the Improve Careers website will have just what you need. Visit our careers section to check out our full range of services, including our new careers tool - ROOTSl or search for more information, advice and guidance to help you find the right job for you.

Case Studies and Success Stories
What will I get back if I do an apprenticeship?
Will more qualifications and training really help me get a job in food and drink?

At Improve, we feel it is important to show potential employees, how an Improve training programme will help them. Of the 650,000 employees across the food and drinks sector, Improve is pulling together real life examples and case studies to show you how existing industry employees got involved in the industry and how their apprenticeship or qualification helped them. Click here to learn what other employees have done to increase their skills or submit your own success story to encourage others.

News
As the Sector Skills Council for Food and Drink Manufacturing, Improve will bring you all the latest news and events within the industry. Click on the news link and you will have the most up to date news stories, government legislation updates, dates for your diaries, research findings and best practice case studies at the end of your finger tips! Plus sign up to our free newsletter!

Qualifications
Gaining a qualification in the food and drink industry can put you one-step ahead of other entrants to the industry. Qualifications can also give you that extra help up the career ladder to earning more money in your job. If you want to further yourself, check out the wide range of qualifications available…

Qualifications for the Food and Drink Sector cover a wide range of areas from meat and poultry to bakery and chocolate making to soft drink manufacturing and distillery. Qualifications are available from entry level into the industry to management and can be delivered and college in the workplace (S/NVQs) or used to give the technical knowledge and understanding needed to do a job (VRQs). Click on the Qualifications link to find out Improve can help you as an potential employee.