Latest news with #Food&DrinkSkillsWales
Business News Wales
5 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Food and Drink Engineering Apprenticeship Launched to Meet Growing Demand
Pembrokeshire College, in collaboration with the Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme, has launched a new Food and Drink Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship course. The initiative derives from discussions at the Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme Expert Group where skills gaps in this field were identified, and aims to meet the growing demand for skilled engineers in the food and drink manufacturing sector. Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs said: 'I am delighted to hear about the new Apprenticeship course at Pembrokeshire College, delivered in partnership with the Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme. This initiative is a fantastic step forward in building a skilled workforce for the vital food and drink production and manufacturing sectors in Wales. By providing practical, hands-on training, this course will equip individuals with the expertise needed to thrive in these industries, ensuring a strong and sustainable future for our Welsh food and drink landscape.' The course will commence in September 2025 at the College's Haverfordwest Campus. This three-year apprenticeship offers a hands-on, industry-focused curriculum, designed to equip apprentices with the essential skills needed to maintain and optimise food and drink production machinery. Lois Pugh, Workforce Development Manager who has been at the forefront of discussions on behalf of Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme, said: 'I am excited to see the launch of this course as a direct outcome of discussions at the Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme Expert Group and to continue advocating for the apprenticeship opportunity, with a strong focus on encouraging businesses across South-West Wales to get involved and support this vital new initiative.' As part of the initiative, Pembrokeshire College is looking to recruit students to participate in the apprenticeships programme. Businesses will be invited to partner with the college, providing apprentices with valuable on-the-job experience. Dr Barry Walters, Principal, Pembrokeshire College said: 'Pembrokeshire College is delighted to be launching the Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship for the Food and Drink industry this September. There's a strong demand for skilled engineers in this sector, and we are pleased to expand our current apprenticeship portfolio to better support the skills needs of our industry partners.' FDQ (Food and Drink Qualifications) will set the assignments for the course, having facilitated the key relationships and collaborations necessary for its successful inception and ensuring apprentices receive high-quality, relevant training that meets industry standards. This new apprenticeship programme reflects the Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme's commitment to supporting the growth and development of the food and drink industry by nurturing the next generation of engineering professionals.
Rhyl Journal
24-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
North Wales school wins Tasty Careers Schools Challenge
The competition, which is part of a National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD) Wales initiative, encourages pupils to design food products and dishes that are healthy, sustainable, and commercially viable. The challenge is supported by the Welsh Government-funded Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme and Careers Wales. This year's Schools Challenge was backed by Castell Howell Foods, Leprino Foods, Kepak, Dunbia, and hospitality group Seren. The finals took place on March 5 at Conwy Business Centre, where teams of pupils pitched their final products, including a sheep milkshake, crempog with pureed parsnip, Welsh rarebit bites, and a strawberry oat snack bar. Denbigh High School emerged victorious with their product, 'Muffin' Around' – a selection of red pepper and spinach muffins. The judges were impressed by the concept, taste, and sustainability of the muffins. The competition, which has been running since 2018, has seen previous winners' products professionally produced and sold. This year's challenge required pupils to create a new healthy, sustainable product for a food and drink manufacturer. Tasty Careers 2025 attracted the highest number of entrants since its inception in 2018, with over 1,200 pupils from schools across Wales taking part. The North Wales finalists included Alun School, Denbigh High School, Ysgol Glan Clwyd, Rhyl High School, Ysgol Friars, Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Ysgol Eifionydd, and Ysgol Bro Idris. Teleri Owen, a teacher at Denbigh High School, said: "The competition has given the pupils an insight into the food industry. "They had thoroughly enjoyed working with each other in a different scenario to the classroom." Louise Cairns, CEO for NSAFD/Tasty Careers, said: "Congratulations to Denbigh High School for their outstanding performance in this year's Tasty Careers Schools Challenge. "The judges were highly impressed with all the entrants but their creation really stood out for sustainability, commercial viability – and of course, taste." Kate Rees, Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales Programme Manager, added: "It's been inspiring to witness the ingenuity of the students at the Tasty Careers Challenge. "They are undoubtedly our future foodies, and this initiative is a significant asset in cultivating talent for the industry."
North Wales Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
North Wales school wins Tasty Careers Schools Challenge
The competition, which is part of a National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD) Wales initiative, encourages pupils to design food products and dishes that are healthy, sustainable, and commercially viable. The challenge is supported by the Welsh Government-funded Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme and Careers Wales. This year's Schools Challenge was backed by Castell Howell Foods, Leprino Foods, Kepak, Dunbia, and hospitality group Seren. The finals took place on March 5 at Conwy Business Centre, where teams of pupils pitched their final products, including a sheep milkshake, crempog with pureed parsnip, Welsh rarebit bites, and a strawberry oat snack bar. Denbigh High School emerged victorious with their product, 'Muffin' Around' – a selection of red pepper and spinach muffins. The judges were impressed by the concept, taste, and sustainability of the muffins. The competition, which has been running since 2018, has seen previous winners' products professionally produced and sold. This year's challenge required pupils to create a new healthy, sustainable product for a food and drink manufacturer. Tasty Careers 2025 attracted the highest number of entrants since its inception in 2018, with over 1,200 pupils from schools across Wales taking part. The North Wales finalists included Alun School, Denbigh High School, Ysgol Glan Clwyd, Rhyl High School, Ysgol Friars, Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Ysgol Eifionydd, and Ysgol Bro Idris. Teleri Owen, a teacher at Denbigh High School, said: "The competition has given the pupils an insight into the food industry. "They had thoroughly enjoyed working with each other in a different scenario to the classroom." Louise Cairns, CEO for NSAFD/Tasty Careers, said: "Congratulations to Denbigh High School for their outstanding performance in this year's Tasty Careers Schools Challenge. "The judges were highly impressed with all the entrants but their creation really stood out for sustainability, commercial viability – and of course, taste." Kate Rees, Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales Programme Manager, added: "It's been inspiring to witness the ingenuity of the students at the Tasty Careers Challenge. "They are undoubtedly our future foodies, and this initiative is a significant asset in cultivating talent for the industry."
Western Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire school wins food product competition
Ysgol Bro Gwaun in Fishguard was named the winner of the Tasty Careers Schools Challenge for its creation of 'Mac & Caws', a macaroni pasta dish with a meat and vegetarian option. The competition, which has been running since 2018, challenges pupils to design food products and dishes that are healthy, sustainable, and commercially viable. It is organised by the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD) Wales in partnership with the Welsh Government-funded Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme and Careers Wales. The finals took place on March 12 at Parc Y Scarlets in Llanelli, where teams of pupils pitched their final products, including a pudding designed to look like Welsh mountains, a super smoothie, and a 'Welshake' health drink. Ysgol Bro Gwaun's 'Mac & Caws' was judged to be the best. Louise Cairns, CEO for NSAFD/Tasty Careers, said: "Congratulations to Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their outstanding performance in this year's Tasty Careers Schools Challenge. "The judges were highly impressed with all the entrants but their creation really stood out for sustainability, commercial viability – and of course, taste. "We hope that participating in this competition will inspire some pupils to consider a career in Wales' outstanding food and drink sector." This year's competition required pupils to create a new food or drink product that is healthy, sustainable, and includes as much Welsh produce as possible. Tasty Careers 2025 attracted the highest number of entrants since it started, with more than 1,200 pupils from schools across Wales taking part. Kate Rees, Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme manager, added: "It's been inspiring to witness the ingenuity of the students at the Tasty Careers Challenge. "They are undoubtedly our future foodies, and this initiative is a significant asset in cultivating talent for the industry. "The future of Welsh Food & Drink is in good hands." Aled Evans, a business engagement adviser at Careers Wales, said: "Tasty Careers is a fantastic event that encourages pupils to develop their creativity, team building and organisation skills, learn more about the food and drink sector in Wales and produce final products that they are proud of. "The challenge also broadens their aspirations and encourages them to think about their futures."
Pembrokeshire Herald
13-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Holiday let could be built at Tenby shop and petrol station
A CAMPAIGN to raise awareness of the career opportunities within the food and drink industry in Wales, and challenge perceptions of careers in this field has been launched. The Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales Programme is a Welsh Government funded programme committed to working with the food and drink industry to develop a skilled and capable workforce. It supports food and drink businesses with a focus on the Welsh food and drink processing and manufacturing industry to ensure employees have the right skills and training for their business. Working across all sectors within the Welsh food and drink industry, it encourages employees to share knowledge and experience with fellow peers whilst also increasing confidence and flexibility in the workplace in order to make employees feel valued. It also aims to prepare employees to adapt to changes and opportunities in food production and manufacturing including technical, business and environmental challenges. As part of the campaign, a new online Jobs Noticeboard is live with a number of vacancies available across the sector. Kate Rees, Food & Drink Skills Wales Programme Manager said: 'The programme offers support for food and drink businesses with a focus on the Welsh food and drink processing and manufacturing industry. This is to ensure employees have the right skills and training for their business and the wider industry. 'The Jobs Noticeboard is filled with opportunities for those seeking a new or different career in the industry, while offering a wealth of support, advice and guidance to help navigate the different career opportunities and business areas that may be of interest to those wishing to explore further.' Wales' food and drink industry is booming and not only putting food on the nation's table, but also firmly placing Wales on the global stage with its world leading produce. The Welsh Government aims to grow the sector's value to £8.5bn as well as increase the number of employees in the sector who receive the Welsh Living Wage to 80%, both by 2025. Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS said: 'There are so many diverse, exciting and rewarding roles and opportunities in our food and drinks industry. It's important that people's skillsets match those opportunities and this new service will provide the industry with the personnel required to see the sector grow further.' With the pursuit to create one of the most environmentally and socially responsible supply chains in the world, there's been a huge uptake in Welsh food and drink in both the UK and further afield, with manufacturers and businesses across Wales quickly responding to the increasing demand. There are a number of ways to join this ambitious and rewarding industry; from apprenticeships and learning programmes to operational and customer facing roles as well as leadership and management opportunities. Blas ar Fwyd, a renowned family-owned business in north Wales is excited to support the launch of the new website as part of a broader recruitment drive aimed at attracting passionate individuals to join the thriving sector. Osian Deiniol of Blas ar Fwyd, shares his enthusiasm, 'We are thrilled to back this initiative and support the launch of this new website. The food and drink industry in Wales is thriving, and there are countless opportunities for those looking to start a new career, transfer skills, or upskill and progress. 'At Blas ar Fwyd, we believe in the power of passion and community, and we are committed to providing a supportive environment where individuals can grow and thrive. We encourage anyone interested in joining this dynamic industry to explore the opportunities available.' The Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales Programme Jobs Noticeboard can be found at: For more information about Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales Programme, please go to: Pictured above: Osian Deiniol: Blas-ar-Fwyd
