Latest news with #Food&DrinkSkillsWales
Business News Wales
23-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Key Food and Drink Stakeholders Network at Royal Welsh Show
Prominent figures from the food and drink industry networked with a key politician at the Royal Welsh Show. A drinks reception, held on the second day of the agricultural show, provided a platform for industry leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers. Attendees had the chance to hear directly from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, who addressed the Welsh Government's commitment to fostering a vibrant and sustainable economy, supporting rural communities, and promoting innovation, upskilling and growth. Huw Irranca-Davies said: 'The Welsh food and drink industry is a cornerstone of our economy and a source of immense national pride. To ensure it continues to flourish, we must provide robust support for its growth and innovation. This includes not only fostering business expansion and market access but also critically investing in the upskilling of our workforce. Equipping our talented staff with the latest knowledge and capabilities is essential for maintaining our high standards, embracing new technologies, and ensuring the long-term resilience and competitiveness of this vital sector.' The event also featured insights from Llŷr Roberts, Chief Executive, and Manon Llwyd, Director of Service Delivery from Mentera, joined by representatives from Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme, Cywain, the Fine Food Cluster, Seafood Cluster and Honey Cluster as well as the Trade Development Programme – all support initiatives that Mentera currently deliver on behalf of the Welsh Government's Food Division. They shared updates on initiatives and their role in supporting the Welsh food and drink sector. Guests had the opportunity to meet the teams and explore the full range of support and services offered to businesses and stakeholders. It was also a chance to celebrate the collective successes and progress within the Welsh food and drink industry. Manon Llwyd, Director of Service Delivery, said: 'We were thrilled to see such a strong turnout and vibrant discussions at our Royal Welsh Show reception. Having the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs and representatives from the various programmes share their perspectives, alongside the opportunity for our guests to explore our services and network, made this a truly impactful event for the Welsh food and drink community.'
Business News Wales
05-06-2025
- 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."
