Learn more about the Food and Drink Manufacturing industry in the North East: Real Help North East
Jobs within this section
Baking is increasingly done by large scale organisations to service supermarkets or chains of stores, although some small bakeries do exist. Baking can be a 24 hour industry with production taking place throughout the night and distribution in the early hours of the morning. There are opportunities in large scale prodiuction bakeries which may be production line work. There are also opportunities for very specialist craft bakers or thise specialising in limited high quality products such as Patisseries. There may be very specialist roles in producing wedding cakes etc....
For more information visit:
Improve Ltd- www.improve-skills.co.uk
National Association of Master Bakers- www.masterbakers.co.uk
The Federation of Bakers- www.bakersfederation.org.uk
Job Vacancies- www.bakeryinfo.co.uk
Brewing beer is usually done by large companies who may make a number of different styles of beer or larger. There has also been an increase in the last 20 year in the mumber of microbreweries brewing small quantities of speciality beers. Most jobs in the industry are manual roles involved in bottling and distribution. There are opportunities for science graduates to work as technical brewers ind development of processed and new drinks.
For more information visit:
Institute of Brewing & Distilling- www.ibd.org.uk
British Beer & Pub Association- www.beerandpub.com
► Jobs in the Food and Drink Industries
Jobs in the food and drink industry cover all types of jobs in the supply chain from large scale production in a factory environment to individual hand crafted items made by artisan bakers, confectioners, etc. Some producers are selling direct to customers from farm shops and farmers markets. Jobs are available at all levels including: management, scientific jobs such as food scientist developing new products, sales, distribution, marketing and working on a production line making huge numbers of products.
For more information visit:
Improve Ltd- www.improve-skills.co.uk
Institute of Food and Science Technology- www.ifst.org, www.foodtechcareers.org
IGD- www.igd.com
Job Vacancies- www.careersinfoodanddrink.co.uk
Management Development Service- www.mds-ltd.co.uk
National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing- www.foodanddrink.nsacademy.co.uk
Information on Apprenticeships in Food Manufacturing can be found HERE
The meat industry involves dealing with meat from the cattle market to the table. Jobs can include: the farmer selecting the best breeds to provide the greatest return, DEFRA and the vet ensuring that they are fit to enter the food chain, the abbatoir processing the whole animal, processing plants; meat inspectors inspecting abattoirs and butchers shops; meat production dealing with meat products such as tinned or cured meat or butchers where the meat is cut up packaged and sold. There are also transport roles in moving livestock and refrigerated meat to retail outlets.
For more information visit:
Improve Ltd- www.improve-skills.co.uk
Food and Drink Qualifications (Meat Training Council) –
www.fdq.org.uk
The Worshipful Company of Butchers- www.butchershall.com
Food Standards Agency (Meat)- www.food.gov.uk
► Careers in Glass, Clay and Ceramics
Careers in glass and ceramics can involve artists creating individual pieces of art (see section E). Bur even in the production of household glass and ceramic items there are a range of jobs. Designers produce designs for the shape, pattern, etc. of the object. In ceramics manufacture jobs can include mould making, engineers etc. Glass jobs can include glass blowing of individual pieces, industrial manufacture of glassware and making window glass and windows, etc.
For more information visit:
Proskills UK- www.proskills.co.uk
Herefordshire College of Technology- www.hct.ac.uk
London Metropolitan University- www.londonmet.ac.uk
Rycotewood Furniture Centre- www.ocvc.ac.uk
Didac Limited- www.didac.co.uk
North Lancs Training Group- www.nltg.co.uk
Information on Apprenticeships in Ceramics can be found HERE and Apprenticeships in the Glass Industry HERE
► Careers in the Clothing and Textile Industry
The UK clothing and textile industry has been in decline as companies outsource production to the Far East where it is cheaper as wages are lower.However there are still many jobs for skilled workers in the UK. Jobs involving textiles include clothing production but also textile production for the car industry, furniture making, medical dressings, boat sails, etc. Designers may design fabrics, patterns or products, technologists research new products and techniques such as new fibres, dyes or processes, workers involved in manufacturing may work as sewing machinists, pattern cutters, dye technicians, printers, etc. There may be linked opportunities in the fashion industry or in design jobs (see section E), in retail and warehousing. There has been a revival of mens tailoring and bespoke suitmaking driven forward by the apprenticeships available in Saville Row.
For more information visit:
BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd: www.blcleathertech.com
The Textile Institute: www.textileinstitute.org
Skillfast UK: www.futuretextiles.org
KLITRA (Knitting and Lace Training Organisation): www.klitra.co.uk
Society of Dyers and Colourists: www.sdc.org.uk
Careers in the fashion and clothing industry: www.canucutit.co.uk
Royal School of Needlework: www.royal-needlework.org.uk
British Hat Guild:
www.britishhatguild.co.uk
www.fashioncapital.co.uk
► Leather Production and Manufacture
Leather is used extensively in the clothing industry and also in upholstery. Jobs in the UK involved in leather production or tanning are very limited as most leather comes from abroad. However there are some opportunities in clothing design particulatly specialist items such as mototcycle leathers or high fashion garments.
For more information visit:
BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd: www.blcleathertech.com
The Textile Institute: www.textileinstitute.org
Skillfast UK: www.futuretextiles.org
The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers- www.furnituremakers.org.uk
THere are few opportunities for sewing machinists in manufacturing on a lartge scale as most of the job have been outsourced to other countries. Some Opportunities may come from smaller production such as alteration of garments, manufacture of soft furnishings and curtains, and bespoke tailoring.
For more information visit:
Skillfast UK- www.skillfast-uk.org
Careers in the fashion and clothing industry- www.canucutit.co.uk
Royal School of Needlework- www.royal-needlework.org.uk
► Cabinetmaking, Furniture-making and Design
Cabinet making is a skilled carpentry job which involves the manufacture of furniture from designs. They may use a variety of power tools to create all sorts of furniture. These may be had made individual pieces made in a small workshop to mass produced factory based furniture production. Furniture production may also include the manufacture of fitted kitchen units. Upholstery is a type of furniture making where foam, padding and fabric are used to cover a wooden or metal frame. Upholsterers may make new furniture or recover and refurbish older pieces.
For more information visit:
Proskills UK-
www.proskills.co.uk
Institute of Carpenters - www.instituteofcarpenters.com
Herefordshire College of Technology- www.hct.ac.uk
London Metropolitan University- www.londonmet.ac.uk
Rycotewood Furniture Centre- www.ocvc.ac.uk
Didac Limited- www.didac.co.uk
North Lancs Training Group- www.nltg.co.uk
Information on Apprenticeships in Furniture Furnishing and Interiors can be found HERE
Upholstery is a type of furniture making where foam, padding and fabric are used to cover a wooden or metal frame. Upholsterers may make new furniture or recover and refurbish older pieces.
For more information visit:
Proskills UK-
www.proskills.co.uk
Rycotewood Furniture Centre- www.ocvc.ac.uk
Wood is part of a supply chain than runs from the forest to your home. Jobs may be available in a number of sectors from tree felling to transport, to manufacturing of wooden products.
Some jobs include:
► Sawmilling which is the cutting felled trees into boards and kiln drying it.
► Wood machinists who use tools to cut and shape wood, they may work in a factory environment working from patterns and designs. This work tends to be in the manufacture of larger items like window frames or skirting boards. Sopfitters may use wood and other materials to crate display space in shops, restaurants, public buildings, etc.
For more information visit:
Timber Trade Federation-
www.ttf.co.uk
The Timber Trade Federation Careers Information website- www.thedoorway.org.uk
Wood Technology Society- www.iom3.org
Information on Apprenticeships in Childcare and Education can be found HERE!
Wood machinists who use tools to cut and shape wood, they may work in a factory environment working from patterns and designs. This work tends to be in the manufacture of larger items like window frames or skirting boards.
For more information visit:
Proskills UK-
www.proskills.co.uk
Construction Skills- www.bconstructive.co.uk
Institute of Wood Science-
www.iwsc.org.uk
Rycotewood Furniture Centre- www.ocvc.ac.uk
Shop fitters work in wood, metal, glass and plastic to produce the bright clean environments of modern shops. They must take an empty shell and create a working environment that is both practical for the retail staff and welcoming for the customers. The may have particular skills such as joinery, carpet fitting, electrical installation, etc.
For more information visit:
National Association of Shop Fitters- www.shopfitters.org
Faculty of Shop Fitting- www.instituteofcarpenters.com
Proskills UK-
www.proskills.co.uk
Construction Skills- www.bconstructive.co.uk
The foundry industry is involved with metal castings that are used in hundred of component parts for machiney. THere are jobs available at: craft level carrying out the casting in roles such as making the moulds for the casting, or making the pattern that the cast product will be made from or doing the actual cast. Technicians may be involved in development workand metallurgusts may be involved in ensuring that the right metal is used for the casting. Metals used can be anything from steel for an engine part to titanium for medical appliances.
For more information visit:
Institute of Cast Metals Engineers- www.icme.org.uk
Cast Metals Federation- www.castmetalsfederation.com
SEMTA-
www.semta.org.uk
Careers Information- www.scenta.co.uk
► The Plastics and Rubber Industries
Plastics are polymers made from crude oil. They are found in almost every sector, from plastic drainpipes in the construction industry to packaging for food and drink or specialist medical equipment. Rubber can be naturally produced from the sap of the rubber tree or man made from crude oil, most rubber products are a combination of the two. It is used mainly for tyres or flexible hoses. Jobs in the industry are at craft level in actually making products or in scientific roles in development or quality control.there are also management, technician and operative level opportunities.
For more information visit:
The Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining: www.iom3.org , www.materials-careers.org.uk
Polymer Training Ltd: www.ptonline.org.uk
Cogent SSC Ltd: www.cogent-careers.com
British Plastics Federation: www.bpf.co.uk
Energy Institute: www.energyzone.net
►The Chemical Industry
The chemical industry produces refined chemicals which are used in many other industries. These may include: paint, plastics, cosmetics, medicines, etc. The industry has opportunities for chemists in development of new chemical processes or products, engineers working on the machinery used in processes, quality control scientists and technicians and operatives working on the making of the products.
For more information visit:
Institution of Chemical Engineers: www.whynotchemeng.com
Royal Society of Chemistry: www.rsc.org
Cogent: www.cogent-ssc.com
Chemical Industries Association: www.cia.org.uk
Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry: www.abpi.org.uk
►Paint and Coatings Technology
The Paint and coatings industry is linked to the chemical industry, it involves the development of protective coatings or paints which canbe used both in the home or in industry. Oil and water based paints have been developed which provides better coverage and can protect against damp or rust. Other coatings can include varnishes, corrosion proofing, marine paint for ships, etc. Jobs may be in research and development, engineering production distribution, etc.
For more information visit:
Proskills UK: www.proskills.co.uk
British Coatings Federation: www.coatings.org.uk, www.careersincoatings.com
Society of Dyers and Colourists: www.sdc.org.uk
Oil & Colour Chemists’ Association: www.occa.org.uk
Information on Apprenticeships in Coatings Technology can be found HERE!
The Pharmaceuticals Industry researches and develops new medicines all the time. It is important that the are made accurately and with the same component parts so that every tablet is equally effective. Testing is a very important part of this work as is quality control. Most of the jobs relating to this industry are scientific posts and require Higher Education Qualifications. They may be in research and development of new drugs, testing or quality control of existing drugs and in the actual manufacturing proces.
For more information Visit:
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry: www.abpi.org.uk
Information on Apprenticeships in Childcare and Education can be found HERE!
► Paper and Printing
Paper manufacturing involves using woodpulp and recycled paper to make new paper products such as tissue, newsprint, writing paper or cardboard. Jobs may be available in processing, research and development, production and maintenance.
Printing has come a long way since Caxton's first printing press. Most printing now is done in one of two ways, either: litho printing where the printing is done via a printing press using metal plates to hold the image or digital printing where the image is printed directly from a digital image. Jobs may be available in design to draft the image, the processes of printing, print production planner who manages the schedule of printing work, graphic designer who may produce the artwork and layout, sales, print finishers who cut down glue or staple the finished work.
For more information visit:
Confederation of Paper Industries: www.paper.org.uk
Bury College: www.burycollege.ac.uk
IoP: The Packaging Society: www.iom3.org
British Printing Industries Federation: www.britishprint.com
Institute of Paper, Printing and Publishing: www.ip3.org.uk
Proskills UK: www.proskills.co.uk
► Paper and Board Manufacturing
Paper and paper products are still produced in big quantities in the UK despite the upsurge in communication via IT. Processes may include working the woodpulp or reculcled paper, making large sheets, drying and finishing. Paper is manufactured in paper mills and most jobs are involved in actually making the produce although there may be some opportunities in warehousing or quality control.
For more information visit:
Confederation of Paper Industries: www.paper.org.uk
Bury College: www.burycollege.ac.uk
IoP: The Packaging Society: www.iom3.org
Institute of Paper, Printing and Publishing: www.ip3.org.uk
Proskills UK: www.proskills.co.uk
Information on Apprenticeships in Paper and Boadr Manufacturing can be found HERE
Modern packaging is usualy made from either plastic or cardboard. It has to ensure that items are able to be transported and sold without damage, think about how apples may come by sea from New Zealand, if they weren't well packaged they could be damaged on the journey. Packaging that is to contain food must meet strict guidelines about safety to prevent contamination. Jobs may be available in packaging design, development, marketing and quality control.
For more information visit:
Confederation of Paper Industries: www.paper.org.uk
IoP: The Packaging Society: www.iom3.org
Institute of Paper, Printing and Publishing: www.ip3.org.uk
Proskills UK: www.proskills.co.uk
Information on Apprenticeships in Packaging can be found HERE
► Rural Crafts
Rural craft is the collective name given to a number of crafts which often have a long history in many cases are dying arts practiced by a limited number of individuals.
The jobs include:
► Farrier: who looks after the hooves and makes shoes for horses
► Thatcher: who fixed straw or rush roves to thatched houses.
► Dry stone walling: building walls without cement or mortar.
► Blacksmith:who makes items out of wrought iron.
► Saddler: who make leather saddles, reigns and bridles for horses.
For more information visit:
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers: www.btcv.org.uk
Herefordshire College of Technology: www.hct.ac.uk
Thatching Advisory Services: www.thatchingadvisoryservices.co.uk
The Society of Master Saddlers: www.mastersaddlers.co.uk
The Saddlery Training Centre Ltd: www.saddlerytraining.co.uk
The Farriery Training Agency: www.farrierytraining.co.uk
British Artist Blacksmiths Association: www.baba.org.uk
Hereford College of Arts: www.hereford-art-col.ac.uk
Dry Stone Walling Association of GB: www.dswa.org.uk
National Hedge Laying Society: www.hedgelaying.org.uk
Small Woods Association: www.smallwoods.org.uk
Lantra: www.lantra.co.uk, www.afuturein.com
National Heritage Training Group: www.nhtg.org.uk
