Business

Agri-food sector facing skills shortage

Harry Hamilton, NIFDA, said an action plan was required to tackle an agri-food skills gap
Harry Hamilton, NIFDA, said an action plan was required to tackle an agri-food skills gap Harry Hamilton, NIFDA, said an action plan was required to tackle an agri-food skills gap

AMIBITIOUS targets for growing the north's agri-food sector could be hampered by a major skills gap, it has been claimed.

According to a survey, 77 per cent of school pupils are unaware of career opportunities within the industry and three-quarters did not know it was the north's biggest employer.

Now a publicly funded study will be carried out by the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) to address the issue.

Harry Hamilton from the body said: “With 15,000 new positions expected to be created in the sector by 2020, it is imperative that we have a pipeline of skilled workers ready to fill these roles if our food and drink industry is to continue to expand and flourish. Whilst this research was carried out on a small group of school pupils, it is indicative of a widespread issue facing the sector.

"We must develop a targeted action plan to improve knowledge and awareness amongst young people, and indeed other job-seekers, of the varied and interesting career opportunities available in the sector.

“This study will enable us to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement in relation to training and skills requirements and to investigate recruitment issues surrounding the attractiveness of the sector. We will adopt a joined up industry approach to ensure buy-in from all stakeholders in agreeing a detailed action plan to improve the perception of the food and drink sector."

The study, which is being funded by Invest Northern Ireland has started and is expected to result in action plan to be completed early next year.