A new way for food & drink employers to future-proof their workforce
The food & drink industry is in the midst of a technological revolution, yet many senior leaders face the same challenge: securing the diverse, high-calibre talent needed for future growth, particularly in critical STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) roles.
In recent years, the industry has seen record staff shortages. A survey conducted last year by the CTSI revealed that 31.2% of Scottish businesses struggled to fill roles, with 63.1% citing an insufficient number of qualified candidates as the main hurdle.
The Scottish Food & Drink Ambassador Programme offers a proven, strategic solution to this challenge.
Becoming an Employer Partner is not a philanthropic exercise, it is a business investment that directly addresses your talent pipeline, employee development and corporate reporting needs.
What it means to be an Employer Partner
An Employer Partner is a key organisation that proactively supports the Ambassador Programme within its own structure.
This involves encouraging your employees - from R&D scientists and engineers to HR managers and skilled production staff - to register as Food & Drink Ambassadors.
Your Ambassadors go into schools and careers events to reframe the perception of our industry, connecting their day-to-day, cutting-edge roles with clear career pathways for young people.
You provide the support; we provide the ready-made platform and high-impact activity.
“31.2% of Scottish businesses struggled to fill roles, with 63.1% citing an insufficient number of qualified candidates as the main hurdle”
The strategic return on investment
For business leaders focused on growth and accountability, the partnership delivers tangible value across three core areas:
Secure your future talent pipeline
The programme acts as a direct link between your company and tomorrow's talent. By showcasing the innovation within your organisation - from food science to process automation - you help attract the young STEM talent required to sustain and grow your operations. Partners gain early visibility among students who are actively considering a career in the sector, positioning your organisation as an employer of choice.Enhance corporate reputation and reporting
Volunteering activities are a powerful component of CSR (corporate social responsibility) and ESG (environmental, social and governance) reporting. We provide a low-effort solution to generate measurable impact data. Our new reporting dashboard tracks all Ambassador activity, giving you clear, exportable data on:>> hours committed to community engagement
>> number of young people reached
>> geographic reach across Scotland
This makes integrating high-impact volunteering data into your annual reports simple and straightforward.Boost employee engagement and development
Encouraging your staff to become Ambassadors is a valuable, high-profile professional development opportunity. It helps your employees hone essential skills like presentation, communication, and leadership. Crucially, the visibility your company gains reinforces staff pride and retention, boosting your internal employee value proposition.
Take the next step
The Scottish Food & Drink Ambassador Programme is a low-effort, high-impact mechanism for strengthening your business's foundations. It’s time to shift the conversation about your industry's future from a challenge to an opportunity.
To discuss how a strategic partnership can be tailored to meet your company’s specific recruitment and reporting goals, contact Emma Koubayssi for a brief strategic conversation.
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