Engineering, that’s how!
If that’s whetted your appetite and you love problem solving and working with machines, then being an engineer for a food and drink manufacturer could be the career for you.
Food and drink is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, employing around 400,000 people across the country. Current figures estimate that it will need over 170,000 new recruits by 2020 to help it meet growing demand and engineering skills are right at the top of the recruitment list.
Companies need engineers to help them increase efficiency by such means as increasing the use of robotics and minimising the impact of machinery breakdowns. The makers of some of the UK, and the world’s, most loved food and drink brands are currently on the lookout for budding young engineers to join their teams.
Sarah Bruce, Electrical Engineering Apprentice at cake ingredients producer Macphie of Glenbervie said: “If you enjoy problem-solving, working as part of a team and facing new challenges, then I'd definitely recommend getting involved in food and drink engineering - there's always something new to learn and experience.”
Top industry engineering career facts:
1. Engineering, particularly mechanical engineering, is one of the most sought after skills in the UK food and drink manufacturing sector.
2. Mechanical engineers are vital to helping food and drink companies increase their use of automation and robotics – vital for making businesses more efficient.
3. Pay and prospects are good for engineers working in food and drink manufacturing, with starting salaries for apprentices being around £16,000 a year.
4. Whether you want to go to university, or are looking into alternative routes such as college or on the job learning, the sector offers various entry points for engineers, including graduate schemes and specialised apprenticeships.
5. You can find out more about being an engineer with a food and drink company and the industry’s new engineering degree at Sheffield Hallam University on the Take a Closer Look at Food Engineering website.
For more on engineering careers in food and drink manufacturing, check out www.foodengineer.co.uk
