Yesterday marked National Women in Engineering Day at the Food & Drink Federation (FDF).


The day was celebrated with some of the UK’s biggest brands, which took part in speeches and events to help young women understand the routes available to them in the food industry. 

The events form part of FDF’s Tate Success careers campaign and STEM pledge to support the government’s ‘Your Life’ Campaign.

The campaign aims to increase the participation in science, technology, engineering and maths, especially among women.

Angela Coleshill, director of employment and skills at FDF, said: “Food and drink is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector and employs up to 400,000 people. However, an ageing workforce means that, between 2010 and 2020, food and drink businesses will need to recruit 170,300 individuals, and engineering is one key vital specialism we need to continue to grow and remain competitive in.

“Through initiatives like the creation of the UK’s first MEng Food Engineering degree at Sheffield Hallam University and the Government’s ‘Your Life’ campaign, we are working to raise the profile of food engineering by highlighting the range of rewarding careers on offer and the many benefits of working in an innovative, dynamic and growing sector.”