A new career kick-start fund for female staff highlights power of Skills Academy partnership with UK food businesses.

New government funding toward training designed to improve the career prospects of women employees is now available to food and drink manufacturing firms across the UK.

The funds, initially secured by food and drink skills council Improve, are being used by the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink to make career development training available to over 300 women nationwide.

The Academy is making grants of up to £800 per female trainee available to food and drink companies to cover the cost of tuition. Firms are not required to make a cash investment but simply an in-kind contribution amounting to paid time away from work of an equivalent amount while the employee is training.

“Women make up a much smaller proportion of the overall workforce in food and drink manufacturing compared to other industries and that is particularly true at senior level, said Justine Fosh, Executive Director of the Academy.

“More and more opportunities are opening up for women at all levels and with the right training they can not only help push their company forward but accelerate their own career to a new level.”

Fosh thanked the many food companies who have taken up Business Membership of the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink and supported the food industry bid against competition from other industries for available funds.

“Having been at the forefront of the process, Academy business members are well aware of the benefits. We are expecting high demand from them for what are limited places but we’re keen to hear from other firms wanting to take advantage of this opportunity to fast-track the prospects of promising female staff.”

If your company would like to take part in supported Women in Work training or find out more about Business Membership of the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink, please contact Claire Myers on 0845-644-0558, email c.myers@foodanddrink.nsacademy.co.uk or visit the Academy website at www.foodanddrink.nsacademy.co.uk .