In the current economic climate, is this the right time to be searching for a new job? Not only is the country drawing closer to recession but a new wave of graduates has just hit the job market. So what are the prospects for those looking for a career change? The answer, at least for food scientists and technologists, is EXCELLENT!
The lack of qualified food professionals is now so critical that on 10 September there is a summit to enable food and drink manufacturers to discuss the crucial issue of the shortage of food scientists and technologists in the sector.
Food and drink sector skills council Improve has joined forces with the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) and Defra, to host an employer event looking at the implications of the shortage, and discussing opportunities for collaborative action.
Research from Improve has highlighted the fact that one in four food science and technologist roles in the industry remains unfilled - a shortage of more than 2,000 qualified professionals. With fewer young people choosing to study food science, and many of those that do ultimately pursuing careers in different sectors, it is a problem that's set to worsen unless urgent action is taken.
Although recruitment in other industries may be slowing down, food is fashionable, we love it and more importantly, we need it. For those wanting to change jobs within the food industry, there may never be a better time. Why not check out the wide range of opportunities currently available on the Focus site?
As a food professional, why not share your views on this topic. We're always happy to receive your comments...
Without wanting to become a doomsday messenger, we need to be realistic about what's going on in the market at the moment. As MyLongLunch we sit in the middle of agencies and media, so we get to hear both sides of the market and the reality is that things are tough at the moment. The obvious and glaring evidence: the stories of redundancies and cutbacks. The ones that are not so obvious are the stories and rumours of people leaving and not being replaced, so effectively downsizing without redundancy.
Now before anyone reaches for the razor blades, bear with me a minute. There are a few positive points the talent of the industry can take away from this.
Positive point 1. Good people are more valuable. In a good market a trained chimp with a decent account allocation can turn a number but it's the true sales people and account managers that can make the difference. Therefore, they can ask for the bigger paycheques.
Positive point 2. A bad economic climate is a springboard for heroes. It would be easy to blame a bad month or a miss of some kind on "the market" but it's the true heroes that dig in, don't moan and make something happen. These people will come out the other end as heroes to their companies and when things get better, bosses have a tendency to remember those people.
Two very good reasons for candidates the grab the bull by the horns in a sluggish market.
I think jobs in food science aren't widely known to others. If not, many young people would have chosen to pursue that. how can we live without food???