Chew on This: Episode 6 – Feeding the Future: How Do We Attract the Next Generation of Food Professionals?
26th March 2026
Chew on This: Episode 6 – Feeding the Future: How Do We Attract the Next Generation of Food Professionals?
The UK food industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the country, yet it faces a growing challenge: attracting and retaining the next generation of talent.
From engineering and technical roles to product development, quality, and sustainability, food manufacturing offers diverse and rewarding careers. But misconceptions about the industry, declining uptake of food-related qualifications, and limited awareness of career pathways mean fewer young people are seeing food as a long-term option.
In Episode 6 of Chew on This, we explore what’s driving this disconnect — and what the industry can do about it.
What’s on the table this episode
Host Emily Hickman is joined by experts from across Oscar Mayer and the wider sector to discuss skills shortages, education, and future workforce planning:
- Steve Beadle – Head of Talent & Development, Oscar Mayer
- Nicola Benniston – Executive Director for Technical, Oscar Mayer
- Angelia Mulyani – Group Senior Technical Services Technologist, Oscar Mayer
- Robin Leaper – Education & Careers Manager, Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST)
Key themes explored
- Why fewer young people are choosing food manufacturing careers
- The decline of food education in schools and colleges
- The importance of early engagement and outreach
- How apprenticeships and vocational routes can support skills development
- The need for clearer career pathways and progression frameworks
- How businesses can better communicate the value and impact of food careers
Rather than focusing solely on recruitment, the conversation looks at how to build long-term talent pipelines and create an industry people actively want to be part of.
Why it matters
Without skilled people, there is no safe, innovative, or resilient food system.
At Oscar Mayer, we believe that protecting the future of food means investing in people today — developing talent, creating opportunities, and championing the wide range of careers our industry offers.
Chew on This exists to open up honest, practical conversations about the challenges facing food manufacturing, and Episode 6 is a vital part of that mission.
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