Food and drink skills summit to be held in Sheffield

The Food and Drink Skills Summit is being organised by Sheffield Hallam University and the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing. It will give the region's food and drink companies the opportunity to identify and discuss skills and training needs for the sector. John Sorsby, head of Sheffield Hallam's Centre for Food Innovation, said: "When the economy returns to a period of growth, the businesses that thrive will be those identifying and capitalising on product, process and packaging innovations. In order to do so, companies will need people with the necessary skills and abilities to deliver this ambition. "This event is about ensuring companies have the necessary people to drive their growth. We need companies' input to ensure we provide the right courses, training and public sector support to meet their needs." The free event will offer lively debate around the support needed for product, process and packaging improvements, and the people and skills needed to achieve this. It will feature speakers from the sector, and will reveal the findings of research into Yorkshire and Humber's skills requirements in this important sector. The Food and Drink Skills Summit takes place on Wednesday 14 October. To book a place call Jane Roberts on 0114 2252044 or email j.roberts@shu.ac.uk. For more innovation visit www.shu.ac.uk/food-summit