Food Matters Live Inspiring Careers in Food to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week 2023
Food Matters Live’s Inspiring Careers in Food event will coincide with National Apprenticeship Week next year, with the former running from 8-9 February, and the latter taking place between 6-12 February 2023.
Inspiring Careers in Food will be open to apprentices from all food-related fields, giving them the opportunity to network with graduates and industry leaders from a range of sectors, and learn more about the essential skills that will help them shape their future in food.
Following the success of the first edition in Central London at the Coin Street Conference Centre, the event will return in 2023 at a new venue – the renowned BFI on the Southbank riverfront. Take a look at the previous event here.
Next year will mark the 15th edition of National Apprenticeship Week – an annual celebration of apprenticeships in England. A range of businesses, apprentices, and people interested in becoming apprentices, will be brought together throughout the seven day period via 1,200 virtual and live events across the country that highlight the benefits of apprenticeships and the variety of opportunities they offer.
The theme for the 2023 edition of National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Skills for Life’, which aims to reflect how individuals can build up the essential skills they need for a successful career by taking an apprenticeship.
Food Matters Live staff handing out tote bags at Inspiring Careers in Food, November 2022.
Sophie Bullock, Careers Programme Manager at Diageo, speaking with student at Inspiring Careers in Food, November 2022.
Left: Food Matters Live staff handing out tote bags at Inspiring Careers in Food, November 2022.
Right: Sophie Bullock, Careers Programme Manager at Diageo, speaking with student at Inspiring Careers in Food, November 2022.
Apprenticeships can be an excellent option for over 16s in the UK, who have completed their GCSEs and/or A-Levels and are looking for an alternative path to further education.
A wide range of apprenticeships are on offer across various sectors of the food industry, including Engineering and Manufacturing, Food Science and Nutrition, Catering and Hospitality, Procurement, Sales and Marketing, Agriculture and Digital data.
They offer individuals the opportunity to get a sense of what it’s like to work in the food industry, meet experienced co-workers and learn lots of practical skills that are essential to succeed in the working world.
Apprentice Alex*, who worked at the Beach Hotel in Minehead through an apprenticeship scheme led by the YMCA Dulverton Group charity, told Food Matters Live about their experience: “I have always had a passion to be creative and love cooking, and my apprenticeship has taught me how a successful kitchen operates as well as things I would not have learnt in a classroom, such a problem solving, managing situations and working within a team.
“[I have been able] to see both sides of the commercial side of running a café/restaurant as well as assisting in the humanitarian side of our community meals and feeding the homeless during the pandemic.”
*This person’s name has been changed for the purpose of this article.
