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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 this big, the different jobs available are endless. You could become a food scientist developing new foods or a food taster trying out these new inventions first. You could learn a trade and start a career in bakery or butchery. Or you could work for some of the biggest food and drinks companies in the UK, like Coca Cola for example, by taking part in a food and drink apprenticeship . If you want to find out more about food and drink, this website is just the place to start!

Improve is the Sector Skills Council for Food and Drinks Manufacturing. This means we have been set up to help you find out more about the different opportunities available in the food and drinks industry and let you know how you can get involved with food and drink manufacturing.

The links on the left indicate some of the areas through which Improve can help you. Whether you are a school leaver looking for a career with great potential; a student wondering which qualification you can do next to further your future career; or if you want to get paid to learn as you earn through an apprenticeship , then there is something for you. In addition, you will find lots of useful information, industry news and success stories from school leavers who are now industry employees about how they got involved in food and drink. 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 involved in the food and drink industry.

The Academy will include all kinds of courses for all levels of people wanting to work in food and drink from school leavers to top managers. As a school leaver the Academy can help you. While you are at school you can gain a 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 attractive and employable when you start looking for a job. Click here for more information on how the Academy or Green Card can help you.

Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a course for young people aged between 16 and 24 years of age (like an equivalent to an A-Level or NVQ). The difference with an apprenticeship is that while studying you can actually get paid! You will also get the chance to get some real work experience by spending some time working for an industry employer. This means you split your time between working in a job and studying! An apprenticeship can provide you with the first step towards a long-term career in food and drink. Click on the Apprenticeship link to find out more.

Careers and Vacancies
If you want a job in food and drink manufacturing or want to find about more about the different types of jobs available, the careers website is just for you. Click on the careers link to find out about the different jobs available or to check out our new Careers Tool called ROOTS.

Case Studies and Success Stories
You might be asking yourself why food and drink? What is in it for me?

At Improve, we feel it is important to use real life examples of how an Improve training programme will help you. Of the 650,000 employees across the food and drinks sector, Improve is pulling together examples and case studies to show you how other students and school leavers have benefited from working in food and drink. Click here to find out more.