The lack of food scientists and technologists in the food and drink industry is already acknowledged to be one of the biggest issues for the industry. However the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff is launching the UK's first post-grad course in food science and technology. The course will be open to anyone with a first degree in any science subject and will be subsidised through bursaries funded by the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFC) for Wales. The plan is to roll out similar programmes at universities across the UK and talks are already progressing with the HEFC in England.

People already working in food industry are also being given more opportunities to train as food scientists or technologists. Lincoln University's Holbeach campus, for instance, offers a day release course leading to a BSc in food science and manufacture to those already in the industry who have a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or an equivalent qualification.

So if you are a Technologist/Scientist or even if you are seeking further progression, send us your CV and we can speak with you in person about the latest food jobs in the industry.

Here at Focus Management Consultants we focus on food manufacturing jobs - so why not send us your CV and we can start the ball rolling.

Look forward to hearing from you!

For the latest jobs within food product development involving the latest food trends and innovative moves - click here.

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/Tourism/VisitWakefield/RhubarbFestival/default.htm

Do remember that our site can help you in your job search whether you're in Yorkshire or not (we actually cover the whole of the UK) - have a look and apply now!

M&S said a trial in Northern Ireland and southwest England had seen customers' use of food carrier bags drop by over 70 percent and had raised 80,000 pounds for environmental charity Groundwork to create "greener living spaces".

"If M&S customers right across the UK cut the number of food bags they use by 70 percent, that is over 280 million bags they would be saving every year," Chief Executive Stuart Rose said.

M&S said the scheme would become fully effective on May 6, by which time all its food stores will use a new standard food carrier bag made entirely from consumer waste.

This action means that other reatilers may follow suit and packaging professionals will be in demand due to environmental changes - for the latest jobs in this arena or in the food manufacturing industry - do look at our website which is constantly updated www.focus-management.co.uk

The transaction, set to be completed this month, is said to be worth £350m.

This could change the way your local high street looks - do remember that for the latest jobs in the food industry we have them here on www.focus-management.co.uk.

Cookery tasting, rhubarb farm tours and guided walks are on the menu at this year's Wakefield Festival of Food, Drink and Rhubarb.

The event will have two marquees, one for cookery demonstrations and the other showing exhibitions.

This year organisers have signed up to deliciouslyyorkshire.co.uk, which will be presenting its own market showcasing innovation in Yorkshire food and drink producers.

The festival takes place on Friday, 7th and Saturday 8th March.

Local restaurants, cafes and bars will be enhancing their menus with recipes including rhubarb.

We have the latest food jobs available in Yorkshire but we also cover the rest of the UK so log onto our site and apply now!

Source: Research carried out by Michael Hillyer at Manchester Metropolitan University Using figures from Mintel and IGD.

Did you know that a little more than half of all employees in Scotland are female, according to Scottish Enterprise's Careers Scotland!

Other interesting information from its website includes:

The jobs people do
Employment in Scotland is higher than 25 years ago but the types of jobs that people do have changed.
· Fewer new jobs in manufacturing
· More jobs within service industries; four out of every five employees in Scotland work in the service sector.
The level of skills employers look for is changing
· There are now more jobs which need higher level of skills.
· There are still a number of jobs that require few or no skills; particularly in hotels and restaurants and wholesale and retail. However, the numbers of jobs that need lower skill levels are expected to decline.
Other trends?
· Most people are in full-time, permanent jobs.
· The number of part-time jobs has increased in recent years but in addition to rather than as a replacement for full-time jobs.
· Job openings requiring new employees arise both from economic growth and from the need to replace people who leave employment.
· Most future jobs growth is expected to be in retail, health and social work, and other business services.
· The more qualifications a person has; the better they are paid and less likely to be unemployed.
Have jobs become more insecure in terms of contract and hours?
· It doesn't seem so. The average length of time a Scottish employee has spent with their current employer is 8.3 years.
· In 2006 basic working hours (excluding overtime) were 37 hours. Almost unchanged from the figure in 1998.
Women in the job market
· A little more than half of all employees in Scotland are female.
· Women work fewer hours than men; 85 per cent of male employees work full-time compared to 52 per cent of female employees.
· On average, women's earnings are 89 per cent of men's.
· Scotland's gender pay gap is closing faster than anywhere else in the UK.
· Significant gender pay gaps still exist in the skilled trades and elementary occupations.

Source: Careers Scotland website: Feb 2008

If you are looking for a career in food manufacturing in Scotland - from product development and technical management to production management or distribution - contact Focus Management Consultants Ltd which has a Consultant dedicated to matching the right skills with the right employer.

FMCL has recently launched Focus Interim, providing dedicated interim expertise to the food and drink industry. Focus Interim carries a broad range of interim food job opportunities within Manufacturing, Technical and Product Development, through to Commercial, HR and Purchasing roles.

Focus Interim is working with a blue chip client base,  including major global branded businesses. The new Focus Interim Food Jobs website allows candidates to search a wide range of interim job opportunities, to register a CV and to receive tailored interim food jobs by email.  The Focus Interim food blog will keep readers updated with the latest news in the food industry.

With 17 years' experience within the UK food industry, Focus are ideally placed to source outstanding food talent and to a variety of outstanding interim Food opportunities to candidates.  

Please visit the site today if you're looking to recruit interim food specialists, or are looking for your next interim food assignment.

The Focus Management Group of Companies (FMCL)  is delighted to announce that we have been nominated for a prestigious ONREC award. The nomination for Best Recruitment Agency use of Online Recruitment recognises "..the implementation by an agency of the most effective online recruitment strategy.."  and follows a year of significant online growth for the group. This has included the launch of a number of new websites including Focus Interim and Carrus for Food Graduates, our various Food Blogs, and a number of web marketing initiatives.

Click here to see the finalists we're up against on the ONREC website

Michael Staniland, director of The Focus Management Group of Companies ( FMCL  ), commented: "At Focus, we work extremely hard to ensure that our clients have access to the latest online recruitment solutions, and we're thrilled that this investment has been recognised by an ONREC nomination. Placing the internet at the heart of everything we do has nothing to do with tokenism or gimmickry  -  it's about understanding how we use these new channels to engage the next generation of talent"

As we limp into the new year of 2008, we are already being greeted with grim warnings of another non-existent summer of rain and floods, what else do we have to look forward to? Here at Focus Management, our business is the recruitment of food professionals, and so we are keen to keep up with all the new developments. So, what treats can we expect from the food industry over the next twelve months?

Well, it seems, we are in for an exciting time of innovative new products according to the recent report from Food and Drink Towers. Premium and 'self-rewarding and indulgent' products are set to be on the up, perhaps confusingly so are weight management products. The raw food movement is set to take off in a big way too. Ethical matters such as fair-trade products and climate change action continue to be at the top of consumers' list of concerns, so there is a lot for food manufacturers to contend with in the coming year.

My predictions? With all the new products in the pipeline, and consumers getting a lot more fastidious with what's good for them and what isn't, Quality is going to be the watch-word for 2008. Check out our website for the latest and best food Quality and Technical opportunities across the UK. Become part of what promises to be an exciting year for food manufacturers.