Sainsbury's CEO blames education system for skilled food job worker shortage
Justin King, the chief executive of supermarket chain Sainsbury's, has accused British schools of not producing enough skilled food job workers to meet demand, and of not promoting work within the supermarket sector as a viable career choice to students.
Speaking at the IGD Convention in London this week, Mr King identified certain specialist and technical skills that are lacking within the food industry at present. He blamed the British education system for this skills gap, saying that it encourages too many overseas students to fill up food technology courses and doesn't present the food industry as a promising career option to students.
Pointing out that many careers advisors look down on food jobs, Mr King said:
The food industry currently makes up 14 per cent of all employment in the UK, and it is one of the industries that have consistently created new jobs and opportunities even through the difficult recessionary period.
Speaking at the IGD Convention in London this week, Mr King identified certain specialist and technical skills that are lacking within the food industry at present. He blamed the British education system for this skills gap, saying that it encourages too many overseas students to fill up food technology courses and doesn't present the food industry as a promising career option to students.
Pointing out that many careers advisors look down on food jobs, Mr King said:
"We don't want those fabled stories of careers officers saying 'work hard or you'll end up working on a farm, or in a factory, or - worse still - on a supermarket checkout'. Because we know that actually for many of us that was the start of a fantastic career."
The food industry currently makes up 14 per cent of all employment in the UK, and it is one of the industries that have consistently created new jobs and opportunities even through the difficult recessionary period.
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