Working abroad, even if it is just in Europe, can be an extremely exciting and rewarding career move. However, most international food job hunters have no idea how to get one of these CV-influencing positions, so they miss out on the many benefits of working and living in a foreign country.

In order to give you a little information on how to get international food jobs, we will use the example of a communications manager position in Paris. This sort of food job is representative of the type of skills and knowledge you will need in order to succeed in an international role.

Become a communications manager in Paris

For this kind of role, which is typical of the type of international food jobs available, you will need to possess a number of employable attributes.

• Management skills- Management positions hold great responsibility and as such, they require a number of years experience within similar supervisory or management roles, along with any relevant business qualifications. You need to be organised, confident and brimming with ideas, good at managing people, and able to work efficiently within time constraints.

• Communications and marketing: You need to have experience working in the communications and marketing sector of the food industry. Having a good command of language, able to build up strong relationships with clients, and having full knowledge of marketing plans and strategies will help you here.

• Language: As with any international job, being fluent in another language, French for example, or having a relevant qualification will always be a distinct advantage.

Despite encouraging news that an official and powerful new watchdog was being set up to help settle disputes between farmers and supermarkets, the Government have now announced that the appointment of an ombudsman will be on hold until after the general election. This has come as frustrating news to many, leading to accusations that labour ministers are 'dithering' over the issue.

The need to establish an official ombudsman was highlighted by the Competition Commission back in 2008, and it was expected that there would be an appointment by now, yet the Government have only offered a further consolation on the role and powers of the watchdog when appointed. The ombudsman will have the power to:

• Hear producer complaints over allegations of abuse from supermarkets and other retailers
• Establish and enforce a code of practise between producers and retailers, and between disputing parties
• To prevent retailers from passing excessive, sudden costs down to suppliers

These basic responsibilities are expected to be in place, but the consultation could see changes and new responsibilities added during the planned consultation, which will see everyone including MP's, farmers, supermarket bosses and union representatives weighing in with their opinions. One thing is for certain however, the eventual appointment of an ombudsman will make working relations easier for those in both production and retail food jobs.

According to the Enterprise Minister for Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, Irish food companies seem to be beating the recession through increased sales outside of the country. Northern Ireland is a major supplier of food and drink to Britain, the Irish Republic and even farther afield, and both sales and employment have increased due to recent success in output sales figures.

Ms Foster has released figures demonstrating that output has increased by 10% and employment by 2.9%, providing a big boost to those looking for food jobs. Northern Ireland already employs over 19,000 people in food jobs, and this figure is set to rise if the current market success is sustained.

Other encouraging facts and figures:

• At the last count, the food industry in Northern Ireland was worth £3 billion a year
• £600 million worth of products were sold to non-UK markets
• The Northern Ireland food and drink industry provided 15% of all total products exported from the country
• The proportion of goods sold outside of Northern Ireland has risen to more than 60%

These impressive figures are proof of the industry's success, which the Enterprise Minister believes can be attributed to a number of factors, notably, the strong partnership between farmers and producers. The minister also praised the originality and quality of exported products, and the professionalism, focus and dedication to excellent customer service shown by food and drink companies, which she also believes are a large part of the industry's success.

There are health and safety standards in place in virtually all UK industries, but they have never been more vital than in the food industry. Owners, managers and supervisors of food companies, in whatever shape or form, have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees, to eliminate risk, and to ensure the health and safety of the general public who consume their products.

There are three main legal standards that employers need to adhere to:
• Legal requirements: training - According to the law, food business operators must ensure that any employees handling food are supervised, instructed and trained in all food hygiene matters.
• Compliance - This means that employers are legally required to train those in food jobs specifically according to the nature of their job and any risks that may be associated with their particular role. For those in manufacturing or processing food jobs, this relates to proper storage and handling of food along with correct waste disposal.
• Best practice - This is measured by National Occupational Standards (NOS), which are cross-industry guidelines as to what skills, knowledge and competency each food role demands of an individual. Employees are measured against these NOS in order to assess performance. The NOS are constantly reviewed and adjusted to ensure that they accurately reflect the skills and knowledge of those currently in UK food jobs.
These legal requirements affect you, as a food industry employee, as you need to ensure your employer is following them. If not, the company is operating illegally, and you may be working in unsafe conditions.

After a long battle over planning applications, the supermarket chain Sainsbury's has defeated rivals Tesco in their bid to open a new superstore in Kelso, Scotland. Despite the fact that Tesco had a deal in place with the Scottish Borders Council in 2008, a recent council meeting has determined that the Sainsbury's should be accepted as the preferred bidder.

The decision came in the wake of a recent remarketing exercise by Scottish Borders Council, and most of those speaking on the issue are glad that the long-running situation has finally reached a resolution. However, Sainsbury's will have to wait a little longer, as official approval is yet to be granted from Scottish government officials.
If approved, the new store will be located at Pinnaclehill in Kelso, and is expected to boost employment in the area, as well as providing residents with a much-needed supermarket and a petrol filling station.

In a show of early confidence from store bosses, representatives from Sainsbury's have said that the new store will create approximately 300 new food jobs, and will reward Kelso residents for their loyal support of the plans with a brand new, long-awaited supermarket.

In line with the success of the rest of the UK food industry, food and drink businesses in Wales have also been performing well, even despite the recession. There has even been an upsurge of interest in certain areas of Wales in recent years, and it looks like four towns in particular are set to be singled out as 'food towns' of the future. These are:

• Montgomery, in Powys, Mid Wales
• Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
• Dolgellau, in Gywnedd, north-west Wales
• Brecon, southern Powys, Mid Wales

These four towns have been identified as burgeoning food areas by the Mid Wales Local Food Talks initiative, which has been impressed by the rapidly-growing development within the food and drink, retail and tourism sectors of each town. For example, in Dolgellau, nearly all local restaurants and half of the town's 120 tourism businesses source local produce to serve or sell, or are planning to do so in the future.

The area of Mid Wales itself is setting the example for the rest of the country, as shown by the growing number of local food and drink producers in the area, which has more than doubled in only a few years.

Not only is this good for the tourism industry in Wales, but it will also boost employment, creating hundreds if not thousands of new food jobs and career opportunities.

Analysts at investment company Brewin Dolphin are predicting a bright future for the British sugar industry, as stabilising prices have boosted European sugar exports. This comes as good news for the food industry as a whole, which has seen growth and excellent sales performance recently even despite the current global economic industry, as well as for those in food jobs.

There has been significant upheaval in the European sugar industry in the last few years, mainly due to the restructuring of the EU Sugar Regime. Now this has ended, prices have stabilised. What's more, due to rocketing prices in the rest of the world, this means that the potential for export of British sugar products has greatly increased, leaving the market wide open for growth and development.

According to Brewin Dolphin, the food processing company Associated British Foods (ABF) stands to profit the most from the current situation, and it is subsequently predicted that sales figures and expansion opportunities for the ABF will improve dramatically in the next two to four years.

As for the recent and controversial Kraft takeover of Cadbury, analysts are predicting that there will a positive outcome for the British sugar and confectionery market. This is because former Cadbury investors can now and put their cash into other companies such as ABF and Tate & Lyle, who are expected to take full advantage of these stabilising sugar prices.

Despite extremely worrying reports and speculation that US company Kraft Foods would cut thousands of food jobs once the Cadbury takeover deal was complete, it has now been revealed that Kraft wants to create more UK food jobs in the future. After re-assessing the situation at Cadbury, representatives from the US food giant have reportedly said that in the medium to long-term, they are actually planning to create more jobs for workers in the UK.

As Kraft's operational strategies are very different to those of Cadbury, these new jobs are expected to be created in the fields of marketing and investment in order to enact a smooth transition. However, if Kraft are to believed as to their intentions for the British company, there may be opportunities for skilled food workers in other fields as Kraft expands into new ventures rather than the 'asset stripping' that many believed would happen as a consequence of the acquisition.

Some commentators believe that Kraft may be simply providing both the government and the press with this reassurance in order to improve opinion of the multi-million pound takeover deal. If created, these new food jobs will provide a definite boost to the UK employment market and the economy, so all fingers are crossed that Kraft follow through on their promises.

In the food industry, production planners usually work within the field of food manufacturing. A production planner ensures that the entire product range of a particular company is manufactured efficiently, cost-efficiently and to the highest standards of quality possible. This role also involves finding resources, technology and materials and knowing how best to use them. This is a crucial role in any manufacturing operation, but you need certain skills to be eligible for this particular type of food job.

Key skills
To be a manufacturing production planner, you must:

• Be organised
• Be accurate under pressure and pay great attention to detail
• Understand processes and technologies used in the manufacturing industry
• Have excellent ICT skills

Working conditions vary depending on the nature of the company, but salaries for these food jobs generally start at about £18,000 p.a. and can go all the way up to £30,000 p.a.

How do I become a production planner?
There are a number of routes available for this type of food job:

• Apprenticeships in manufacturing, which progress to operative, team leader and eventually production management roles.
• You can get a Diploma in engineering, manufacturing or product design, or all three
• Alternatively, you can get into the industry by completing a foundation degree, HND/HNC, BTEC or a Degree in manufacturing.

As part of a nationwide expansion plan, supermarket giants Morrisons have opened a number of new stores throughout the UK, with many more in the pipeline. These new stores, located in Streatham, Halifax, West Denton, Westbury and Willenhall to name but a few, are set to create hundreds of new food jobs, and a number of these have already gone to those who were previously unemployed. There are a large range of food jobs available at these new stores, including everything from checkout operatives and bakery assistants to well-paid management positions.

Morrisons, who are already a leading graduate employer, are placing considerable emphasis on training, qualifications and career progression for new and existing employees. They are currently training all of their staff for a nationally-recognised retail qualification, and are promoting themselves as an employer who can develop their workers so that can they go from "the shop floor to the top floor". In fact, Morrisons HR department are proudly telling applicants that approximately 30% of their top-level executives started their careers working on the shop floor.

In the food industry, everyone has to start somewhere, and by offering employees the chance to progress up the career ladder using skills and qualifications, Morrisons are proving themselves to be one of the best companies to work for.

In general terms, a buyer is someone who works within the purchase and supply field of the food industry. The kind of company the buyer works for will determine what sort of products or materials they will source. For example, if you have a buyer food job in a manufacturing or processing company, you will be sourcing raw materials for new products, whereas if you work for a supermarket or other retail company, you will mainly be sourcing finished goods or packaging to sell to consumers.

How to get these kinds of food jobs
As well as having incredibly high standards for quality, you must also be able to keep a watchful eye on market developments, and the buying trends and demands of consumers. You also need the following set of key skills:

• Organisation and time-management - to enable you to see a project through to completion
• Excellent communication skills -in order to liaise with colleagues and develop strong working relationships with suppliers
• Problem solving - You need to be able to think on your feet, and come up with effective solutions as and when problems arise.

In addition to this, a business-related or specialist qualification will definitely be an advantage, as will any relevant experience. A further way into this kind of food job is to undertake a training scheme or buyer apprenticeship programme.

Recent statistics have revealed that the top UK market performers of 2009 were fast-food giants McDonald's, demonstrating that the food and drink industry really is leading the way when it comes to beating the recession.

McDonald's managed to achieve record breaking sales last year, with figures for like-for-like sales coming in at 11% more than the previous year. They also managed to attract 7.5% more customers. McDonald's bosses believe 2009 was so successful for the company due to consumers need for good food at recession-busting value prices. This is shown in the popularity of particular products at McDonalds, with more customers preferring the 'saver menu' as well as the 'little tasters' value offer.

Expansion and new food jobs
Due to last year's resounding success, which saw the company create approximately 6,000 new food jobs due to the opening of new outlets, McDonald's are reportedly planning even more expansion for 2010. Ten to fifteen new outlets are currently in the pipeline, and will mean there will be a further 5,000 food job opportunities opening up.

McDonald's UK not only managed to outperform all other UK retailers, but they also managed to outdo the global McDonald's group. However, overall group income is currently up 6% from last year.

A new report produced by WWF-UK in partnership with the Food Climate Research Network has revealed that organic farming alone will not help the agriculture and food production sector do their part to tackle climate change.

The report, entitled 'How Low Can We Go?', has been welcomed by The Crop Protection Association, as it dispels the belief that organic food production is the only way to combat climate change. The report reveals that the food industry accounts for approximately 30% of the UK's carbon footprint, replacing the previous estimate of only 20%. According to the report, the following changes need to be made in all stages of the food production chain in order to reduce this:

• Carbon emissions and energy consumption need to be reduced in the fields of fertiliser manufacturing, farming operations, and food processing and distribution; all of which currently depend heavily on using fossil fuels
• Consumers' eating habits need to be altered to reduce demand for dairy and meat products
• Every stage of the food industry needs to be made more efficient, which can be done by making the best use of technological developments in equipment and techniques.

These changes will require more skilled and specially trained workers to fill the many new food jobs that will be available in the fields of food technology, production and development, especially if the UK food sector is to reach the ambitious target of a 70% reduction in food chain emissions set for the year 2050.

Due to the current global economic recession, the majority of food manufacturers reduced the amount they were investing in product development food jobs. However, according to The Oxford Research Agency, it is predicted that as consumers start to spend money again, thoughts will again turn to investment in greener, eco-friendly technologies.

Due to a positive outlook for 2010 after the instability of the previous year, The Oxford Research Agency are encouraging manufacturers to take advantage of the opportunities created by an increase in consumer confidence to reinvest in innovative technology.

This will also mean good news for those currently undertaking specialist training courses for food jobs in the fields of food technology, food science, and product development. As an increasing number of graduates are choosing this career path, it sets the food industry up well for the future. This is because not only will it be able to cope with future demand for increased volume and sustainability of food products, but it will also help graduates due to the availability of specialist food job opportunities.

In terms of brand and product development, the grocery think-tank IGD expects to see the following by the year 2012:

• 37 per cent more consumers will be buying locally produced foods on a regular basis
• 34 per cent will be buying a larger number of fair-trade products
• 15 per cent on consumers will buy more organic products

Out of all of the industries currently working to keep the UK economy ticking over, the food and drink industry has to be one of the most valuable contributors. There will always be a need for food and drink companies and businesses, and there are thousands of food jobs available.

But why get one? Well, apart from the availability of food jobs and the success of the industry, there are also factors such as job satisfaction, a plethora of opportunities for career progression, financial rewards and many other benefits available to persuade you.

Facts and figures

Every year, the food and drink industry in the UK generates a turnover of approximately £77.4 billion, and over 460,000 people are employed in food jobs. What's more, due to the continuing growth of the industry and increasing demand for food supplies, it is estimated that the sector will need 137,000 new employees by the year 2017, so there are bound to be lots of opportunities available in a diverse variety of fields.

The following are just a few examples of the types of trained and skilled new recruits the country will need:

• Machine operators
• Managers
• Skilled craftsmen
• Technical operators

From this, you should be able to see that food jobs are not simply about selling or serving food. There is a fascinating world going on behind the scenes in food production and manufacturing, and people with the specialist qualifications and skills to fill these roles will be indispensible to the food industry in the future.

Tesco, one of the UK's largest and most successful supermarket chains, has been forced to revise and resubmit plans for a new store in Hadleigh in Suffolk, after the previous proposals were criticised for being too ambitious. Consequently, Tesco store planners have scaled down the size of the proposed new store by approximately one sixth of its original size, and have resubmitted a planning application to Babergh District Council.

Even at the scaled-down size, the new Tesco is expected to create around 200 new food jobs for the area, as well as attract a wealth of new shoppers to historic Suffolk town of Hadleigh. Despite criticism that the site for the new store is too close to the river, will cause traffic flow problems and damage trade in the high street, Tesco has been supported in its plans by a loyal group of residents, calling themselves 'Hadleigh's Tesco Supporters Group'. These Hadleigh residents have been campaigning for a Tesco to open in their town for over ten years, and it seems likely they will finally get their wish.

Tesco and other supermarket giants such as Asda, Aldi, Sainsbury's and Co-operative Food, have all been opening a number of new stores recently, which is a positive sign that the food industry is in good health and is continuing to expand. Being some of the top graduate employers in the UK, these major companies, at this highly successful time, are looking like an increasingly good prospect for food job hunters looking for career progression and job security.

When most people think of food jobs, they usually think of either customer-facing roles such as restaurant managers, chefs and serving staff, or of farmers in the very early stages of food production. However, there is a whole spectrum of roles across the whole of the food supply chain, and many of the most important positions are often overlooked. Skilled and trained employees are constantly required to fill these vital positions in order to keep the whole process running smoothly and efficiently.

Here is a selection of just a few of these unusual yet crucial food jobs:

• Wine producer - When you think of food jobs, you may often forget about the many roles available in the production of drink products. Being a wine producer requires you to understand all of the processes involved in making wine from grapes; you must know about viticulture and vinification, as well as having a passion for the art of making quality wine.

• Abattoir operative - This food job is only right for certain people. Working in a slaughterhouse, you will be part of an essential process required to supply the UK with quality meat. You need to be conscientious about standards and humane slaughter, willing to work with dead animals and waste products, as well as being physically fit.

• Confectioners- A craft-related food job, being a confectioner making sweets and chocolate can be extremely rewarding and enjoyable. As long as you have high standards of personal cleanliness, patience and attention to detail, you should go far in this industry.

At the National Farmers' Union in London last week, the chief executive of the Assured Food Standards (AFS) organisation, David Clarke, announced new scheme aiming to harmonise food standards in the UK.

The scheme, entitled 'Red Tractor Farm Assurance' is designed to help those in processing and manufacturing food jobs to navigate farm standards more easily, and will eventually involve the merging of other farm assurance logos into one, the Red Tractor logo.

Mr Clarke, explaining how the scheme will benefit both manufacturers and retailers, said that he believes the new scheme will ensure consistency throughout all sectors. Although the details of the standards themselves will remain the same for the most part, it is the universal use of common terminology that Mr Clarke is focusing on. As for previous farm assurance schemes, these will all be gradually renamed to be part of the unified Red Tractor family; the Assured Dairy Farms Scheme will now become Red Tractor Farm Assurance - Dairy, and so on.

The new scheme will start to come into effect immediately, with farmers and those in other relevant food jobs being issued with a manual by February, which will explain how they can meet industry standards in time for official inspections in April.

The Asda supermarket chain has recently confirmed that they have received planning permission to build a new store in Dundee. Costing approximately £24 million to complete, the new store is expected to create around 480 new food jobs for the area, a big boost to Scotland's employment market.

The new Asda store is being developed in partnership with Scottish property company Macdonald Estates, and is set to be located on the site of an old NCR factory in Wester Gourdie. Asda are thrilled with the council's decision to approve planning permission, believing that the new store will provide the west of Dundee with a much-needed service, which will complement Asda's two existing stores in Dundee.

Due to the fact that the new store will encompass a cafe, petrol station in addition to a large shopping area, Asda bosses are looking forward to promoting all of the employment opportunities which will be open to those looking for food jobs.

The opening of new stores from large companies such as Asda, as well as other expansions, comes as good news for Scottish food job hunters, especially in the wake of new figures revealing that 200,000 people in Scotland are currently unemployed.

Due to an increasingly competitive market for food jobs, and the fast-paced and rapidly expanding nature of the food industry, employers are now starting to look for a certain set of key skills.

Recent research has revealed that one in six UK employers have or are experiencing a skills gap in their workforce. This means that an average company with around 50 employees will lose approximately £160,000 in revenue per year, and will ultimately cost the UK economy a total figure of £10 billion per year. So you can see why skilled and highly trained employees are essential to food job employers.

What are these employable skills?
There are many essential skills needed in food jobs, particularly with more technical and specialist roles, but the following are what most employers will be looking for first:

• Oral and written communication
• Team working
• Customer -handling
• General IT skills
• Organisation and time management
• Literacy and numeracy skills
• Problem solving

Food job employers use this set of employable skills initially as an outline for the job description of a particular vacancy, and they then use it to measure each applicant against. These key skills, with the addition of relevant qualifications, experience and training, are exactly what employers are looking for.

There is exciting news for food job hunters in Norfolk this week, as plans are revealed for a brand new, multi-million pound 'food hub'. It is set to be built on a site between Easton and Honingham Thorpe near Norwich, and is expected to not only create hundreds of new food jobs, but also to add further value to the burgeoning food and drink industry in the region.

It is approximated that the food and drink sector contributes nearly £2.5 billion to the East of England, as well as boosting the employment market with the addition of over 90,000 food jobs. Due to these figures, a council led partnership headed by developer Ian Alston, who first saw the potential for a new food hub in Norfolk back in 2006, have sensed an opportunity to grow the industry even further.

The 'Norfolk food hub' is an exciting new project, aiming to promote and support locally produced farmers and products, instead of importing so much produce in from abroad. The hub, if plans go ahead, will contain the following:

• Livestock market
• Distribution centre to supply local and regional markets and supermarkets
• Market
• Shop
• Norfolk themed restaurant
• Premises for vets, agricultural machinery dealers and supply companies
• Plant centre

Although the new centre will almost certainly boost the food and drink sector in Norfolk, as well as creating more than 1,500 new food jobs, there has still been some opposition from local residents. However, this has mainly been because of the proposed site, which many believe would spoil the natural landscape, as well as being on a busy road entirely unsuitable for local shoppers. A planning application has been submitted, but will only be granted after all aspects of managing the site have been considered by South Norfolk District Council.

With all of the top supermarkets battling it out to perform well and achieve the highest sales figures over the previous Christmas period, there has been much speculation over who has come out on top. Recent reports have measured supermarket success by comparing growth in sales figures, and it seems that luxury supermarket Waitrose has emerged as the leader of the pack.

New figures have revealed that Waitrose, part of the John Lewis family, achieved a 17.6 per cent growth in sales over the Christmas period, its biggest sales figures and most improved market share since 2005. Waitrose's success has been attributed to the opening of new stores, a move which also created hundreds of new food jobs, as well as the quality of their products.

After a bumper Christmas for retailers all round, it seems evident that customers have recovered from the recession to the extent that they are starting to choose quality over value again, especially when it comes to stocking up for Christmas.

Growth in the sales figures of other supermarkets are currently the following:

• Morrisons - 12. 8 per cent
• Sainsbury's - 8.6 per cent
• Tesco - 8 per cent
• Asda - 5.9 per cent
• The Co-op - 4.8 per cent

These figures are certainly good news for retailers, and also for the economy, but it is also beneficial for food job hunters as these major companies will be looking to expand with new stores and product ranged if growth in sales figures continues.

Interviews for foods jobs are much the same as any other type of job interview. In order to make the best possible impression, there are a number of things you can do in advance, on the day and most importantly, during the interview.

Here are a few simple tips to help you get your dream food job:

Preparation
This is the most important part of the whole process, and it could make the difference between you getting the job or losing out to the next person. You need to do the following:

• Research the company thoroughly, and understand completely what they do
• Research the market sector you will be working within
• Consider questions they may ask you and prepare some answers via easy-to-remember lists or bullet points
• Plan your travel to the interview

Present yourself well
You need to wear something appropriately smart and don't worry about dressing too formal in these kinds of situations. And, most importantly for food jobs, make sure that your nails, hair and general appearance is clean and tidy. Finally, be confident in both your manner and what you say, even if you have to fake it.

During the interview
Even if you're nervous, do your best to be as friendly and approachable as possible, but still remember that this is a formal situation. Listen carefully to questions, ask for them to be repeated if necessary, and think for a moment before you answer. Last of all; don't be afraid to ask questions!

The very best of luck for your food job interview.

Sainsbury's, one of the UK's largest supermarket chains, is reportedly planning to open two new mini supermarkets in Bristol city centre. The stores are classified as 'local' branches, similar to the Tesco Metro-style stores. In addition to an existing Sainsbury's Local branch in Horfield in the area, two new stores will be opened next week in Broadmead and Broad Quay, creating a total of 61 new food jobs.

The two new stores will both have the following:

• A selection of everyday food items, fresh food and bakery products, and a small section of non-food items.
• 5,000 square foot of combined sales space
• Three cash machines and three self-scan checkouts
• A 'Bag for Life' scheme in operation to help customers recycle

These new Sainsbury's stores are expected to not only provide those living in the Bristol city centre area with a more convenient source for everyday items, but it will also boost the area's job market. Sainsbury's is a brilliant graduate employer, offering a wide range of food jobs in many areas of food retail. It may be a good time to get on board.

A new set of qualification options has been designed by skills council Improve, aiming to not only help those looking for food jobs make their way into the industry, but also to improve the standard of food job applicants for employers.

Out of the new Improve Proficiency Qualifications (IPQs), designed for those with food jobs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, comes the 'Achieving Food Manufacturing Excellence' qualification. This qualification has two main components:

• Leadership, management, and strategy
• Tools, techniques and approaches relating to sustainable business strategies and lean management techniques

This qualification will also focus on the application of the above components to the food industry, enabling employees to improve performance in whatever level they are at or food sector they work within, and also helping to improve performance, production, efficiency and standards within the food manufacturing industry as a whole.

The development direct at Improve, Derek Williams, has explained that because the new qualification options are focused on continuous improvement and tailored to the specific needs of food employers, they should help those in food jobs to take the industry.

The close of this week is expected to be a busy and exciting one for market commentators looking for signs of recession recovery from high-street retailers, as supermarket Morrison's releases Christmas sales figures. Two of the big four supermarkets, Tesco and Sainsbury's, have already reported figures, but Morrison's is expected to surpass both companies. However, Asda have yet to report sales figures for the festive period, so the number one spot could still be for the taking.

Sainsbury's reported a 4.2 per cent growth for the period, whilst Tesco is currently the front-runner with a 4.9 per cent same-store growth. However, expectations are high for Morrisons to achieve a 7 per cent increase for the festive period. This is based on two factors:

• Impressive past performance in the same period for the last two years
• The new direction the company has embarked upon since Marc Bolland took over as CEO

Bolland has recently left the company to work for rivals Marks & Spencer, leaving a question mark over who will head the company for the future. This hasn't affected sales, as the company is still benefitting from Bolland's successful business model, but uncertainty has meant that shares may be affected.

One thing is for certain, Morrisons is looking an excellent prospect for customers and food job hunters alike. Continued momentum in sales figures means more development and expansion; encompassing new product ranges, which requires more skilled workers in the field of food technology, and the opening of new stores which will create thousands of new food jobs.

For graduates or those looking for food jobs in manufacturing, apprenticeship courses can be extremely beneficial. They encourage you to undertake on-the-job training, make valuable industry contacts, and provide you with a way into your chosen field. Food manufacturing is a wide and varied industry, but specialised apprenticeships are adaptable enough to provide you with the relevant skills for your chosen area.

Benefits for apprentices

• You can get a recognised qualification and learn valuable skills whilst still earning money

• You will be able to choose from a wide variety of different roles and sectors, and have your apprenticeship tailored to allow you to meet job-specific requirements

• The apprenticeship courses are flexible with regards to which style of learning you prefer - off-the-job classroom learning or practical, hands-on experience

• Excellent opportunities for career progression, as you can complete and move through levels. This means that in the future, you will be set to make more money from your chosen food job due to more advanced levels of training.

Benefits for employers

Food job employers also benefit from taking on apprentices. They not only receive recognition and funding for offering apprenticeships, but they also benefit from a more skilled, trained and educated workforce.

One of the UK's most prominent food producer, Premier Foods, is set to beat expectations by announcing full-year sales figures of £2.6 billion on February 16th. Although this phenomenal figure is impressive, the company has been doing consistently well for some years now, and the 2009 figures show only a 2.2% increase from the previous year's results.

Premier Foods attribute their success chiefly to the sale of branded goods, accounting for £1.7 billion of the total figure or 63 per cent. What's more, branded goods within the groceries section, which accounts for around 60 per cent of total turnover, has increased by an impressive 8%, especially in the fourth quarter. This period included Christmas and New Year, which no doubt gave sales a considerable boost.

Particular products and ranges that performed well included:

• Ambrosia desserts range
• Loyd Grossman sauces and ready-to-eat range
• Batchelor's soups
• Mr Kipling Christmas Puddings
• Hovis branded bread

The success of Premier Foods in the previous year is good news for both investors and those looking for food jobs. A successful, profitable company and all the associated high-profile brands such as Ambrosia and Hovis means there is likely to be plenty of opportunities for food jobs opening up this coming year, making it a perfect time to get on board.

The major Scottish food organisation, Scotland Food and Drink (SF&D), have recently revealed ambitious new growth targets for the food industry, with the ultimate aim of making Scotland 'A Land of Food and Drink'. The new targets outline SF&D's plans to grow the food industry to £12.5 billion by the year 2017, an increase on the original target of £10 billion. It is believed that these new targets aim to take Scotland out of the recession, boost employment and food jobs, and make Scotland a competitor in global food markets.

These ambitious plans rely on the full support of every sector in the food industry and hinge on a few main factors, including provenance, premium and health. SF&D have also announced the backing of three new sectors: agriculture, aquaculture and fishing. To include them in the targets in such a prominent way seems to be a direct response to government concerns over food production in the future.

Focusing on sustainable production of larger amounts of food is an endeavour which would involve new specialist education and training for those already working within these fields, and the opening up of new technical, scientific and other food jobs in order to expand these sectors.

For those working within the food industry, aspiring to reach management level is an admirable goal. These kinds of food jobs have excellent financial rewards, can be extremely rewarding, and are a reflection of both your hard work and the belief that the company has in your ability. However, these roles do not come without great responsibility, so you need to make sure you have the skills and experience to be able to cope.

A particular kind of management level food job is that of project leader. It differs to other roles such as, for example, general manager or commercial manager positions in that you will mainly have to manage both people and an idea or concept. You aren't just keeping things ticking over; you are actually driving a project forward, meaning that the right person for this kind of food job needs a special set of skills. Check the following list and see if you are cut out to be a project leader - are you:

• Passionate about food and the processes involved in manufacturing and retailing it?
• Confident and positive, with good communication skills?
• Good at setting and meeting tight yet realistic deadlines?
• A people person, who can motivate and train less senior workers whilst still maintaining control?
• Able to convert ideas into tangible products, strategies or processes?
• Organised and efficient?

If a number of these qualities apply to you, get the right training and start enjoying your new career as a project leader.

Within the UK food industry, the area of food production covers a multitude of different roles. One of the major attractions of food jobs is that you get a glimpse of the food production process before food and drink items arrive on supermarket shelves. This is an exciting and ever-changing industry, so why not get involved?

Here are some examples of food production roles:

Butcher
To enjoy this type of work, you need to have an interest in meat and related products and also in interacting with customers. It can be a fascinating job, seeing firsthand how meat is prepared and stored, and you can pride yourself on upholding the highest standards in quality and safety. What's more, no qualifications are essential as most butchers train on the job.

Baker
Bread and baked goods are the foundation of any country's food needs. Similarly to a role as a butcher, bakers are involved at the ground level in the field of local food production. If you have an interest in cookery or food and enjoy practical work, consider being a baker in either a plant, in-house or craft bakery.

Production Operative
These food jobs are essential in the production and processing of any number of food and drink products. You need to be interested in manufacturing processes and food technology, and need to be efficient, responsible, and able to work as part of a team.

Even if you know exactly what industry you want to work within, it can still be difficult to choose the right role. Especially in terms of the food industry, thinking about your own interests and passions, skills and experience can really help to determine what kind of food job you'd be perfect for.

The following information should help get you started:

General employable skills
Skills such as communication, team working and organisation are important for most kinds of food jobs. You need to be able to express your ideas and understand all information given to you, work well with other people in order to achieve a common goal, and be punctual, enthusiastic and responsible.

Management skills
Some people have the skills and personality to progress well within a management role. Food jobs in management require you to be confident, but also able to communicate well with others. You also need to have strong leadership skills, be goal-driven, organised and focused, and able to handle any responsibility given to you.

Legislation and guidelines
Some people feel more comfortable in roles with a strict framework of guidelines in place. Food jobs in areas such as health and safety, quality control or inspection can be extremely satisfying for organised, exacting individuals possessing excellent attention to detail.

Customer service
This is one of the most varied and enjoyable food jobs available. Friendly and polite people who enjoy interacting with customers will have no problem in customer service.

More than 18,000 people are employed in Northern Ireland's £3,000million food industry, and the sector is set to increase even further. For this reason the government in Northern Ireland is encouraging more of the region's young people to undertake specialist training course in order to go into food jobs and help the industry grow even further.

Such innovative courses are offered by the Loughry campus at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise. The government has been supporting such specialist foundation and honours degree-level course over the last few years, believing them to be perfectly tailored to the present and future requirements of employers in the food industry.

The government in Northern Ireland has invested over £1 million in facilities at the Loughry campus recently, who can proudly report that all of their graduates have a reputation for sound knowledge of all food processes as well as excellent practical ability.

As Northern Ireland exports a large volume of food to England each year, this is good news for all UK food industries, and especially for those aiming for food jobs. Such skilled and highly-trained graduates in food and drink production, manufacturing and technology will hopefully ensure that the food industry continues to move forward in years to come.

In response to concerns raised over the future of food manufacture in the UK, highlighted at the Oxford Farming Conference recently, the University of Lincoln has launched two new specialist food courses. Pupils hoping to go into food jobs will now be able to choose a specialty thanks to the new BSc (Hons) in Food Manufacture and BSc (Hons) in Agriculture and Environmental Management.

The Principal Lecturer at the University of Lincoln, David Stainton, explained the introduction of these courses. He believes that the concerns raised at the recent national conference over whether Britain will be able to produce enough food to feed the growing population in the future are well-founded, and that there is a very real need for highly skilled, trained and technical graduates in the fields of Agriculture and Food Manufacture.

BSc (Hons) Agriculture and Environmental Management
The university devised this new programme after recognising a gap in the sector when it comes to skills and specialist education. Rapid technological developments also mean that those in food jobs in the future will need to be highly skilled, with a detailed understanding of plant, animal and soils science.

BSc (Hons) Food Manufacture
This course is designed to feed graduates directly into the food supply chain, giving them a thorough understanding of both advanced and sustainable manufacturing operations.

When you think of a role in the food industry, the food jobs you consider might be the more hands-on roles like production, preparation and distribution, but there is a whole world of exciting food jobs available behind the scenes. Some of the most interesting roles are in marketing. There are a whole host of different food jobs related to marketing to choose from, if you have the right skills.

There are opportunities in analysis; a marketing analyst, for example, must be able to interpret data and recognise trends, patterns and potential problems.

If you are interested in a job as a Commercial Manager, then you'll be expected to build strong relationships with customers, clients and contacts. This high profile role is perfect for someone with great people skills and a determined, driven attitude.

These marketing food jobs can expand your horizons too; an assistant to a marketing team will help to spread news of a brand around the country, the continent and perhaps even globally. This is sure to open up a lot of doors as you progress on your career path in the food industry.

If you play your cards right, you could end up as a highly paid Marketing Executive, leading your team and reaping the rewards. If you've got the necessary skills and experience there is nothing to stop you getting a great marketing-related food job.

If you are passionate about food and want a career in the food industry, then graduate training schemes are the perfect way to get ahead. And in today's difficult job market, standing out from other applicants is more important than ever.

Graduate training schemes are the next step up from higher education training courses, as they provide you with hands-on experience in a particular food job, where you learn everything about your chosen industry whilst accumulating valuable skills and experience. So, if you have just finished your university course and are looking for a way into the food industry, there are training schemes available to you in the following areas:

• Product development - developing new recipes, equipment and techniques
• Food technology -the scientific and technical aspects of food manufacturing
• Finance - overseeing accounts and finances of the business to ensure operations run smoothly
• Quality control - ensuring that all products and practices meet the highest regulations and standards

Besides these, there are many other areas you can work in. Graduate training schemes also allow you to work in a variety of environments and make any number of valuable contacts, but the main advantage is that they are often fast-track schemes. This means that completing these training programs may mean that you are eligible for higher-level food jobs than if you started at ground level and worked your way up. For anyone interested in a food job, graduate training schemes are definitely worth considering.

Good news for people in Britain who have got food jobs, and good news for people looking for food jobs. For the first time in a decade a politician has been talking about the need for Britain to produce more food.

Environment secretary Hilary Benn has announced a strategy called 'Food 2030', a 20-year plan which will support food production in this country, and this suggests that there will be a lot more food jobs on the horizon.

After a Christmas which, encouragingly, saw sales of the best British reared ham and turkey up by around 10%, the politician's plan to further encourage the public to buy British, and to put more emphasis on locally produced food, should ensure that people who want work in food jobs in Britain will have the best possible chance.

As the government move to support productive farming, there should be more jobs in agriculture, which will in turn lead to more jobs in processing and packing. All those jobs that were being done overseas, when it was in Britain's interests to import a lot of their food, will return to these shores and ensure a healthy future for food jobs in Britain.

The government's chief scientist, John Beddington, recently spoke at the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) of the vital need to incorporate scientific innovations into the British agriculture industry. He believes this is necessary in order to avoid food shortages due to the ever-increasing population, even going as far as to say that the world needs to produce up to 50% more food by 2030 to keep up with demand.

The technologies Mr Beddington focused on in his speech were genetic modification (GM) and nanotechnology. He explained how these innovations would enable British farmers to grow a larger amount of crops using less land, as well as improving efficiency and production in all areas of the food supply chain.

If Mr Beddington's ideas are to come into effect, this will mean that a great deal of investment will need to be made in order to train the relevant specialists in these fields, and a large number of new food jobs within various technical and scientific areas will become available.

Although the government has been supportive of research into GM technologies in the past, Mr Beddington's ideas were not so well received by environmentalists. Protestors, including Prince Charles, have warned that these technologies run a very high risk of negatively affecting nature's delicate ecosystems.

Due to record customer numbers over the Christmas period just gone, the UK's third largest supermarket, Sainsbury's, was able to report a huge rise in sales figures this week. The company apparently served approximately one million customers per week over the last quarter, a figure which peaked at a record 24 million in the week before Christmas.

Despite a decrease in food price inflation, Sainsbury's managed to convert these high customer numbers into exceptionally high comparable sales figures. The company achieved a 3.8 per cent rise for the third quarter, which contributed to an overall sales increase of 6.2 per cent.

These impressive figures were boosted by the opening of 8 new stores during the quarter, meaning that 32 more stores than last year were open in time for Christmas. As well as helping the company to increase overall sales, these new stores have also created hundreds of new food jobs and helped the company to sustain growth.

This is good news for anyone looking for a food job, as the success of Sainsbury's demonstrates the strength of the food retailing industry despite the global recession. Large supermarket chains such as Sainsbury's, Asda, Aldi, Waitrose and Tesco are all excellent companies to work for, offering more job security and possibilities for career progression than businesses in most other industry sectors.

When applying for some food jobs, the employer may want you to do more than complete an application form. Some food jobs will require you to send a CV along with a 'cover letter'. You can use a cover letter to highlight the strengths and experiences that make you right for this particular food job.

If you've never sent a cover letter before, it can be daunting, but keep it short and simple and you'll be fine:

Writing your covering letter:

• You should write in a formal style.
• Put your address at the top right hand corner of the letter and put the date underneath your address. If possible, write to a specific person.
• The letter should be 3 or 4 paragraphs long:

1. In the first paragraph tell the employer why you're writing, and why you're interested in the food job.
2-3. In the next one or two paragraphs, outline your skills and qualifications and let the employer know why you're perfect for the job.
4. In the last paragraph, be positive. Let them know when you're available and provide your contact info (phone, e-mail etc).

• Finally, sign off with Yours sincerely. If you don't know the name (Dear Sir), then you should use Yours faithfully.

A good cover letter can make a big difference when applying for a food job, so make sure you're happy with it before you post or e-mail it.

Waitrose, one of the leading luxury supermarkets in UK today, has recently revealed plans to build a new store in Exeter, a move which is expected to create nearly 200 new food jobs for the area. The multi-million pound project will involve redeveloping the former maternity ward building on Heavitree Road, which has been vacant for over a year, and turning it into a new 24,000 square foot Waitrose store.

Further planning will go ahead following a consultation with members of the public, which will involve an exhibition of Waitrose's plans. Exeter's response to the project has so far been fairly positive, with many believing that the upmarket food store will not only provide Exeter with an added attraction, but that it will also persuade other big chains such as John Lewis to consider the town as a suitable location for a new store.

Furthermore, Exeter's Chamber of Commerce is also welcoming the amount of construction and food jobs the project would create in the area, and is pleased that the unused site will be used for employment purposes.

Waitrose will submit a planning application by February 2010, and hope to complete and open the store by the end of 2011.

In the food industry more than any other UK sector, health and safety is absolutely essential. In order to manufacture and sell safe and high-quality food and drink products to consumers whilst also ensuring that those in food jobs are able to work efficiently, certain government-set codes, standards and practices must be maintained. If you look at the food industry in this way, then the people in health and safety food jobs become some of the most important parts of any food company.

In a health and safety role, especially in any kind of management capacity, the following duties must be undertaken with care and efficiency:

• Overseeing all aspects of Health and Safety Compliance - a main priority in most food companies
• Ensuring that all practices and working conditions comply with government codes and legislation
• Reviewing the procedures of the company and identifying areas where change is needed
• Carrying out risk assessments and company audits
• Identifying employee training requirements

As you can see, a health and safety food job is a vital one within any company, particularly within the food manufacturing industry. It can also be extremely rewarding, as you will eventually gain a position of great responsibility within your chosen food company.

Despite the ongoing global recession that has hit a number of companies in all industry sectors, Domino's Pizza has recently revealed that sales for the latest quarter have grown exponentially. Due to an 8.6% per cent rise in like-for-like sales in all 501 of its UK stores in the last three months, Domino's are anticipating that sales figures at the end of the year will more than exceed expectations.

Domino's Pizza, who are already one of the largest pizza delivery companies in the UK today, opened 55 new stores in 2009, meaning that they now have a total of 608 stores operating in the UK at present. The new stores created in excess of 1,500 new food jobs, which brought their total workforce up to approximately 20,000 employees. The addition of these new outlets has also meant that compared to the same time last year, sales figures have increased by 15.6 per cent to £112.4 million.

City experts believe that the success of Domino's Pizza can be attributed to a number of factors: the number of new stores, short-term tactical promotional strategies and campaigns like the sponsorship of 'Britain's Got Talent', and a greater focus on improving online sales.

For those looking for food jobs, the current success of the company seems to indicate that now is the perfect time to get involved. Both job security and potential for career progression are incentives offered by this burgeoning UK employer.

Major food retailer Tesco has recently revealed plans to open a new store on Park Road in Faringdon, a venture that is expected to create over one hundred food jobs for the area. The company has reported impressive sales figures over the Christmas period, and is continuing with its expansion ready for the challenges that 2010 is expected to present.

Planning for the new multi-million pound store is well underway, and planning permission will be submitted to Vale of White Horse District Council as soon as the current consultation is completed. This consultation involves an exhibition of potential designs for the store, and members of the public are being invited to give their opinions and suggestions, and pose questions to Tesco representatives.

Researchers at Tesco have planned the store after identifying what they call 'a real need for increased food shopping choice' in Faringdon. Their figures demonstrate that approximately 80% of local people do their food shopping outside of their town. Tesco is hoping that the new store, with its 15,000 square foot floorspace containing both food and non-food items, will encourage people to stay in Faringdon, doing their main food shop at Tesco, and buying other items from town centre shops.

Tesco is aiming to complete the project by summer 2011.

In terms of food jobs, upskilling is an expression used to describe a person's progression up the career ladder, gaining valuable skills, experience and knowledge as they do so. This means that once you've entered the food industry and got yourself a food job, the opportunities available are endless.

There are many examples of people who have started work in the food industry at ground level, and have gone on to achieve high-ranking positions within their particular field. Within the timespan of a number of years, cashiers at supermarkets go on to become store managers, waiters in restaurants may become general managers or even executive chefs, and with the right training, a laboratory assistant in a food development facility may even end up as a specialist in food technology.

The food industry is unlike any other sector in the UK today in that there is so much room for progression, and despite the current global recession, the industry is doing well and actually expanding. There are a large number of areas to work within, and there are apparently one in four food jobs permanently vacant, particularly in the areas of food science and manufacturing engineering.

There are more higher education courses and many other types of training programmes available now than ever before, so there are countless ways for you to upskill and continue on up the career ladder.

An agronomist is a trained specialist in the field of agriculture and farming; someone with extensive knowledge of the science behind the growth of crops and soils. This includes:

• All of the processes involved in the growth and development of plants
• How the nutrients and water provided by the soil contributes to plant growth
• The reproduction and seed-producing methods of plants

Agronomists also work closely with farmers and other food producers, helping them to efficiently and cost-effectively grow their crops. They are always on hand with advice and Best Management Practices relating to the use of fertiliser and pestcide use, harvesting, and storing crops once they have been gathered.

How can I get a job as an agronomist?

To get an agronomy food job, you must obtain a Bachelors degree from a college or university specialising in agriculture. In addition to this, you can also attend annual training sessions to keep up to date with the latest innovative practices and technologies, and maybe even go on to become a Certified Crop Advisor.

Many people think that food jobs are limited to working in fast food restaurants or supermarkets, but agronomy food jobs are the prime example of how diverse and interesting the food industry can be.

If you have recently completed a management-related degree, have experience in a management role, or both - a management job in the food industry could be perfect for you. Only a small number of applicants are qualified for these kinds of food jobs, so your valuable skills, experience and qualifications could really make you stand out from the rest.

Most successful managers have a two or four year degree in a food or hospitality related subject, or lengthy experience in a relevant role. However, in order run smoothly, the food industry depends on a number of other skill sectors. As you will see when you read on, this means that your particular management qualification of experience could be extremely valuable to the food industry.

Here are a few examples of the types of management roles available:

• General manager
• Service manager
• Commercial manager
• Purchasing manager
• Quality assurance manager
• Technical manager

As well as these, there are many other opportunities available in this fast-paced and exciting industry, and there is excellent potential for career progression.

As with all other industries, getting a job in the food sector is not as easy as it was in the past. But if you approach your job search and your applications in the right way, you can increase your chances of landing your dream food job.

Of course, half the battle is getting noticed by improving your CV. But if you are offered an interview, then there are still some things you can do in order to improve your chances at interview stage.

The main thing to remember is to research the company that you are hoping to work for. If you can prove that you are interested in them and have taken the time to get to know the company, this will really impress at the interview.

Make yourself familiar with the job that you are applying for so that you can ensure that you are well prepared and then ensure that you have the answers to the following questions: what does the company do? How big are they? What is their history?

By conducting some thorough research, you are really increasing your chances of impressing your interview panel. And it won't be long before you have your dream food job.

When it comes to food jobs, you're not simply restricted to being a butcher or a checkout operator. In fact, there are plenty of roles to suit all sorts of qualifications and personalities.

In any sector, marketing is always seen as a vital tool in making products a success, but for the food industry, where there is so much competition and constantly changing products, marketing is essential.

So if you are looking for a food job where good ideas and innovation are the keys, then consider marketing and you could be completely transforming a product.

For example, the marketing team at Mr Kipling have recently struck gold after they struck up a highly prestigious deal. The cake brand is now sponsoring the 2010 season of ITV programme All Star Mr & Mrs.

This is the first time that a Premier Foods brand has become involved in a high profile TV sponsorship.

This new deal will mean that Mr Kipling will have exposure on ITV1 and ITV2 for the eight week season. And to give an extra boost to the campaign, there is also a marketing campaign competition which will give consumers a chance to win a second honeymoon in Paris.

It seems that Tesco is developing some of the best staff members in the country. It has recently been revealed that the supermarket is the new hunting ground for talented senior staff.

The food store has been described as The University of Management because staff there learn the very best in management practices and are then unleashed into the employment market to take on other food jobs. Headhunters are fighting for the chance to employ staff from Tesco because any manager of a Tesco store will have been dealing with a billion pound turnover and they will also have a knowledge of how to produce the best standards, because in a new job, they will have a standard of 'how can we beat Tesco'. In an era when Tesco has been described as taking over the world, this is invaluable.

The other bonus of employing talented staff members from Tesco is that they will have had a huge responsibility in their job. Because of the enormity of the company, no matter what they were responsible for, there is no doubt that it will have been big.

It seems that the supermarket giant is a real talent pool that other companies have got their eyes on. But beware, because once you take on a food job with Tesco, you are well and truly thrown into the deep end. But then, that's the best way to learn.

The Co-operative is seeing a slight change of image due to a new marketing strategy which will bring the food company together with Somerfield.

A new advertising campaign is set to highlight the fact that The Co-operative is able to offer incredible value deals because of its joint campaign with Somerfield.

And the food group is using two real members of staff to front the campaign. The couple really have bagged themselves food jobs with a difference. Store supervisor from The Co-operative and Somerfield checkout operator Tomieka Shiell were chosen for the job because it was found that customers connected with them. They had initially been chosen as internal communicators for Somerfield and The Co-op.

The campaign aims to highlight how customers can benefit from the combination of The Co-op and Somerfield.

The Co-op acquired Somerfield in March after a £1.6 billion deal. Since the, Co-operative products have been phased into Somerfield stores. The next step is to re brand Somerfield under the Co-op banner and it is hoped that this will be completed by 2011. this new step will really highlight how customers can benefit from choosing The Co-op/Somerfield brand.