Skilled workforce

Investing in our industry begins with investing in our people.

Our people are our greatest asset

Getting the right people with the right skills is essential to boost productivity and drive growth.

While automation and technology may help, they cannot replace the value of experienced and dedicated individuals. Getting the right people with the right skills is essential to boost productivity and drive growth.

3rd

largest sector employer in Scotland

1st

biggest manufacturing employer in Scotland

120k

people working in the industry

Download our recruitment and retention toolkit

Recruitment and upskilling may be the most important issue for our sector in the coming years. This toolkit is designed to get you thinking about your workforce, support your own business journey and shape its future success.

Download the Toolkit See all toolkits

Developing Workforce Skills

Here you’ll find links to the relevant support to help you recruit, retain and develop your workforce.

Feeding Workforce Skills

People and skills are crucial within the industry. Discover comprehensive support tailored to food and drink employers around the recruitment, retention, and upskilling of your workforce. Explore guidance that will help your business to stay ahead in this competitive market.

Find out more

Food & Drink Federation

Labour shortages place food and drink businesses in fierce competition for top talent. Offering workforce and skills development opportunities can set you apart as an employer of choice while boosting productivity and service levels.

Explore the Food & Drink Federation's valuable workforce development resources and links to elevate your company's appeal and success.

Find out more

Skills Development Scotland

Skills Development Scotland assists individuals in honing their career management, work-based, and employability skills during their entire career journey—from school to further learning opportunities and employment.

Find out more

Other workforce support

Skills Development Scotland have developed a Skills for Growth programme to help you understand your skills needs and how best to address them.

Circular Economy Investment Fund is a funding opportunity provided by Zero Waste Scotland for projects within businesses that can deliver carbon savings and create jobs.

Your business can apply for up to £15,000 to help retrain and upskill your workforce through the Scottish Government's Flexible Workforce Development Fund. Find out more here.

Brodies LLP have produced guidance for food and drink businesses looking to employ foreign workers.

Feeding Workforce Skills

People and skills are crucial within the industry. Discover comprehensive support tailored to food and drink employers around the recruitment, retention, and upskilling of your workforce. Explore guidance that will help your business to stay ahead in this competitive market.

Find out more

Food & Drink Federation

Labour shortages place food and drink businesses in fierce competition for top talent. Offering workforce and skills development opportunities can set you apart as an employer of choice while boosting productivity and service levels.

Explore the Food & Drink Federation's valuable workforce development resources and links to elevate your company's appeal and success.

Find out more

Skills Development Scotland

Skills Development Scotland assists individuals in honing their career management, work-based, and employability skills during their entire career journey—from school to further learning opportunities and employment.

Find out more

Other workforce support

Skills Development Scotland have developed a Skills for Growth programme to help you understand your skills needs and how best to address them.

Circular Economy Investment Fund is a funding opportunity provided by Zero Waste Scotland for projects within businesses that can deliver carbon savings and create jobs.

Your business can apply for up to £15,000 to help retrain and upskill your workforce through the Scottish Government's Flexible Workforce Development Fund. Find out more here.

Brodies LLP have produced guidance for food and drink businesses looking to employ foreign workers.

Tailored programmes for your team

The Academy is a unique series of flexible training courses are designed by a curated team of industry experts to enable real and sustainable business growth. Underpinned by tailored one-to-one support, each programme matches the needs of your business with appropriate specialists and mentors