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Competitiveness

Food and drink manufacturing in Scotland plays a vital role in underpinning our country's economy. As well as creating wealth for the nation, manufacturers have a key strategic role to play in ensuring the nation's future food security against the combined effects of climate change, higher global demand and increasing pressure on finite resources.

In our view, it is the role of Government and its agencies to set a framework that enables business growth. This means putting in place infrastructure and a regulatory framework that promotes competitiveness through efficiency of resource use, stimulates innovation and attracts the skills and investment that is needed.

Competitiveness is the key to delivering sustainable business growth and so it is at the core of many of SFDF's activities.

For example, a highly-skilled and innovative workforce is essential if we are to continue to be regarded as a world class food and drink manufacturing country and if we are to be able to drive growth and deliver success in the future. However, in spite of its priority industry status, it has well documented skills gaps, particularly in the fields of engineering, science and food technology.

Establishing the sector as a recognised 'career destination of choice' is a priority issue for SFDF and so, as a first step towards raising awareness and improving perceptions of the industry:

• SFDF has produced a short careers film called to help paint the picture of a vibrant industry that offers a wide range of rewarding opportunities in new product development, engineering, process efficiency, IT, marketing, analysis, science and food technology and much more besides.

• Now, having secured grant funding from the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland, SFDF is currently building up and rolling out a national schools programme. “A Future in Food” is designed to inspire and help school children, their teachers, careers advisors and parents to make the connection between the food on their plates, what they are learning in school and rewarding careers in our dynamic industry.

SFDF also provides companies in Scotland with market insight and commercial opportunities through our Suppliers' Forum Series.

Case studies

• Macphie of Glenbervie - With recruitment of quality technical staff being an increasing problem for the UK food and drink industry, Macphie has found student placements to be an invaluable route to securing quality NPD and technical staff. 80% of students that complete a work placement at Macphie tend to end up working for the company. View the Macphie of Glenbervie company case study (Video).

• Coca-Cola Enterprises launched an enterprise education competition for secondary school children called 'The Real Business Challenge'.