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Occupations
Employment within the food and drink manufacturing sector is dominated by three occupational groups:
- skilled trades occupations
- machine and transport operatives
- elementary occupations
These three groups account for 56% of total employment in 2004, which compares with 30% across the whole economy for these three occupational groups. There are high total requirements for managers and senior officials, plus professional occupations over the next decade. Half of the decrease of future sector employment will be amongst elementary occupations.
There is a shortage of people to fill food scientist and technologist vacancies. However, it is the quality of applicants rather than the quantity that is an issue.
Source: Working Futures 2006 and Careers in Food and Drink manufacturing 2006
Composition of Improve sector employment by SOC2000 major groups, 1994-2014
Source: Working Futures 2006, table 3.4.2. Based on CE/IER estimates.
Occupational vacancies
40% of vacancies in the Improve sector are for machine operative occupations, and a further 20% for elementary occupations. There is a higher proportion of skill shortage vacancies amongst skilled trade and elementary staff.
Source: SSDA 2004
For data on total requirements for the sector by occupations see:
Occupational skill requirements
The skills most likely to be required at higher occupational levels are: team working; and technical and practical skills.
Generally, employers do not believe that skill needs will change further over the next few years. 16% of employers reported an increase in the need for higher levels of IT skills over the next few years.
Source: SSDA 2004
Earnings
The average gross weekly pay for Improve sector jobs in 2004 was £318.80, compared with £330.20 for workers in all industrial sectors.
There was a 4.7% increase in average earnings between April 2003 and April 2004.
Female Improve sector workers earn, on average, 27% less than male counterparts. In 2004, the average gross weekly pay for female Improve sector workers was £253.50 and for males £346.70.
Source: Improve website 2006
Occupational roles and sources of information
The Improve website has information on different jobs in the sector under the following broad categories:
- research and development
- purchasing
- production
- engineering
- quality assurance
- marketing
- sales
- logistics
- other jobs
Information on jobs in the sector includes: background information on job; typical week; skills; routes in the job and qualifications; training; salaries; and industry news. Individual case studies are also available on the Improve website.
A variety of key roles in the food and drink sector are identified by Prospects and detailed information is available. It should be noted that a different definition of the sector is used compared to Improve. Some selected examples include: food technologist; production manager. For information on these roles and others in the sector go to the Prospects website case studies.
The learndirect website also has detailed occupational profiles for some occupations in the sector under the heading catering services. These profiles include information on entry points, training, working environment, employment opportunities and expected annual salary. Specific occupations include: butcher; consumer scientists; and baker.
Last cached: 2008-05-07 12:49 PM