There is so much opportunity in food and drink in Scotland.
Opportunities for people of all ages to find great careers and green jobs.
Opportunities for employers to use workforce development to power up their businesses.
And opportunities for educators to link to one of Scotland’s most important economic sectors.
Our careers, skills and workforce development resources can help you explore your own opportunities in food and drink, whether you’re looking for a career, for tools to develop your people or for curriculum support.
For young people, job changers & others
The career opportunities in food and drink are probably wider than you think. In fact, whatever your stage in education or life post-education, there is almost certainly a career for you.
For employers
Nowadays, every employer needs to think about how best to recruit, retain and develop staff. Our workforce development resources and links can set you on your way.
For educators
We have a range of resources about food and drink careers, as well as teaching aids relevant for STEM, business and other subjects.
Latest updates
Recruitment support from the Department for Work and Pensions
UpdateThe DWP can help food and drink manufacturers find their next team members. Use these links to learn about their range of support services, and how they can help transition colleagues (current and future) who are in receipt of Universal Credit:
Food Waste Action Week
We're celebrating Food Waste Action Week and supporting the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to reduce food waste.
Check out our education resource developed in partnership with Zero Waste Scotland, Abertay University, and Developing the Young Workforce Dundee and Angus. It’s a project for S1-3 pupils to consider food waste in a real-life context, highlighting careers in food drink around science, sustainability, & production:
Food & drink bosses take on Apprentice for a Day challenge
In support of Scottish Apprentice Week (Mar 4-8), bosses of leading food & drink organisations have gone back to the workfloor to experience life as an “apprentice for a day”.
Senior representatives from sector membership bodies such as Scotland Food & Drink, FDF Scotland, Quality Meat Scotland, and Seafood Scotland got a hands-on experience reflecting the type of tasks taken on by an apprentice.
Reasons to work or upskill in food and drink
Careers in food and drink are careers that matter.
It’s a sector worth billions to Scotland, where STEM and digital skills are increasingly important.
There are roles and progression opportunities locally, nationally and internationally, and it’s a key sector in helping Scotland meet its Net Zero ambitions.
And in Scotland alone, the sector needs nearly 35,000 new recruits by 2031 to fill skills gaps.
A Future in Food
FDF Scotland and Skills Development Scotland work in partnership to support delivery of the skills ambitions of the industry on behalf of the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership.
Our skills initiative, A Future in Food, works with partners across Scotland to raise awareness of the career opportunities available in the Scottish food and drink industry. We help young people, educators, career influencers and parents understand these opportunities and the skills needed by employers.
The Scottish Government funds this work through the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership.
For more information please contact:
Related pages
Becoming a Food and Drink Ambassador
Our ambassadors inspire young people to consider a career in food and drink. If you work in food and drink and would like to help motivate the next generation of recruits into the industry you can sign up as a food and drink ambassador.