The food and drink manufacturing sector includes many industries of which meat and poultry processing and bakery are the largest.  Sector information

The majority of the workforce is employed full-time.  Sector information

Total employment in the sector is forecast to fall approximately 10% over the next 10 years.  Sector information

The largest proportion of the workforce can be found in the Yorkshire and Humber region, the North West, the East of England and Scotland.  Regional dimension

Employment numbers are dominated by: skilled trades’ occupations; machine and transport operatives; and elementary occupations.  Occupations

Employment in elementary occupations is forecasted to decrease, whilst the skilled and professional workforce is expected to expand.  Occupations

Two thirds of the workforce is male.  The workforce is predominantly white which is expected to change over the next years.  Equal opportunities

Most employees in the sector are qualified at Level 2 or below.  Education and Training

There is no company culture that expects participation in formal qualifications as informal on-the-job training is the more common form of training.  Education and Training

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Sector information

This contains an overview of the sector as a whole, details future trends in employment together with skill gaps and workforce development issues.

Data and charts

Links to the charts contained within this sector are listed.

Regional and national dimension

Information on regional trends and difference, together with trends in the home nations including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Occupations

Information and trends on sectoral occupations.

Equal opportunities

Key information on equal opportunity issues specific to the sector.

Education and training

Education and training information and issues including work-based learning, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and further and higher education courses.

Research

A list of recent research publications which is intended to be a starting for those wishing for more detail on the sector.

Discussion

Thought-provoking and challenging questions to start discussions.

Sector summary: food and drink manufacturing and processing

This summary gives a brief overview of the key trends in the sector.

Links and sources

This contains direct links to all the materials used to compile this sector. More in-depth and detailed information can be found in the source materials as only key points have been extracted. In addition, websites and further sources which may be of interest have been included.