What Work Cambridgeshire and Rutland 2016 | Page 11

Information and guidance for young people aged 13-19

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
You might not have thought about a career in food and drink but it’s a large
and growing sector with plenty of opportunities – especially if you have an
entrepreneurial streak! From nature to plate someone needs to grow it, invent the
recipe, make it, test it for quality, package and distribute it. Businesses in the area
range from small ‘artisan’ (craftsperson) companies to large producers.

What is happening?

Skills & qualities

• Food and drink sector has over 30 different industries
including bakery, dairy, confectionery, chilled and frozen
products with all sectors becoming increasingly hi-tech.
• Agri-food industry growing, especially in Cambridgeshire
– skilled workers are in demand.
• Fenland has by far the largest number of people employed
in the sector across our area and leads the way in agri-tech.

Useful subjects

• Around 170,000 people in the food and drink industry
across the UK are due to retire by 20201. That means lots of
skilled jobs to choose from.
• Job titles include quality technician, food technologist,
production planner, category managers, environmental
technologists, chocolatier, pastry chef, brewer and food
scientist. There are new roles for social responsibility and
sustainability.
• Shortage of bakers, flour confectioners, cheese makers,
food technologists (especially in confectionery), machine
operatives, managers and those skilled in quality assurance.
• High demand for technicians, people with food science
degrees and production engineers. Skilled
people are crucial for development of the
industry as UK aims to become global
leader in delivering more sustainable,
healthy and affordable food.

Local employers
• Friar’s Pride

• Produce World