On Wednesday 26 February, BTC welcomed local and national employers of the food & drink industries, regional education advisors and councils to the third South West Food & Drink Forum held at our Advanced Engineering Centre in Bridgwater.

Networking and introductions took place upon arrival before Liz Redwood, Head of Employer Relations opened the room with a College update on Apprenticeships, T Levels and the full agenda for the morning’s activities.

Presentations were delivered by Phil Selwood, Provider Manager from The National Skills Academy for Food and Drink (NSAFD), Richard Snell from Devon County Council and Simon Gregory and Zoe Plant from Food Works SW.

The NSAFD exists to provide businesses across the UK’s food and drink manufacturing and processing industry with a single source of access to leading edge workforce training, vocational study and skill upgrades, designed to boost productivity, innovation, profitability and growth. The academy works closely with a range of key industry stakeholders, supporters and partners in delivering their mission of making the food and drink industry in the UK the best in the world, and BTC are extremely proud to have been chosen to be a part of this.

The food and drink forum led onto a group discussion session on the challenges and ideas in recruitment with businesses sharing good practice and ideas for overcoming common obstacles.

Simon Gregory and Zoe Plant informed the group of a new Food and Drink Innovation centre currently being built, The Food Works SW. This gives new businesses in the industry a chance to test products in state -of-the art- facilities as well as advice and support on new product development.

The forum finished with a tour of the facilities, including the new Welding Centre of Excellence located within the Energy Skills Centre at the Bridgwater Campus.

If you are interested in joining our forum or would like more information on how your company can work with BTC, please email business@btc.ac.uk or call 01278 655111.