Are you someone who has always dreamed of starting your own food business but not sure how to go about it? From basic start-up help to more complex food hygiene training, help is on hand thanks to the Welsh Food and Drink Skills Project. If you visit their stand at the forthcoming Royal Welsh Spring Festival (17 & 18 May) you will have the chance to talk first hand with project staff as well as hear about the exciting courses available to help support you in achieving your dream. 

In addition to hearing about the possible pitfalls when setting up on your own there will also be a chance to understand better how to address upcoming legislation on food labelling and to hear about innovative training opportunities for farmers working in the all-important red meat sector in Wales.

One person who has years of experience in the field of food is Nerys Howell, who believes that opportunities such as these are crucial to help people understand the food sector better,
“It can be quite daunting for anyone wanting to start afresh in this business but it’s heartening to see the chances there are available nowadays for people to get a helping hand on the business ladder. These unique and inspiring courses, that are on offer,  are aimed at making your business more efficient and profitable in a competitive market and will enable you to return to your business motivated and refreshed with new ideas. I’d encourage anyone with a business idea or seeking training to pop along to the stand at Builth Wells.” 

Despite the Food and Drinks sector being Wales’s largest collective employer, employing 230,000 people and generating £6.5 billion a year, The Welsh Food and Drinks Skills Project has found, through its research, that there is a shortage of key skills to drive the food industry forward in the coming years.

That is why Caryl Tudor Jones, Project Co-ordinator for The Welsh Food and Drink Skills Project, believes that offering training opportunities and the chance to talk to successful business people can help develop the industry in future,

“What we want to offer people is the chance to increase their skills so they can contribute more effectively to their chosen field of work. Our hope also is that it will make their businesses more efficient and will make them more sustainable in the longer term. We also recently announced new training courses for farmers in partnership with renowned meat processing firm Dunbia, again with the aim of developing key skills in the agricultural sector, and I’d encourage anyone with an interest take advantage of them.”  

The Welsh Food and Drink Skills team will be on hand to discuss with you at the Royal Welsh Spring Festival at Builth Wells on 17 and 18 May so why not pop along for a chat or you can call them on 01982 552646 or visit www.foodanddrinkskills.co.uk.
 
The Welsh Food & Drink Skills Project is supported by the Sector Priorities Fund Pilot programme with funding from the European Social Fund administered by the Welsh Government, and delivered in partnership between Lantra, the Environmental and Land Based Sector Skills Council, Improve, the Food and Drink Manufacturing Sector Skills Council and People 1st Cymru, the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council.