Workforce Survey

THE SCOTTISH BAKER WORKFORCE SURVEY

A CALL FOR FRESH TALENT TO HELP MAKE FRESH BREAD

Results of our workforce survey revealed

A workforce survey of our members has shown that the skill shortage across the spectrum of bakery businesses in Scotland is real and that without a continued focus on upskilling existing staff and a concerted effort to bring in and train up new talent to secure the future of this skilled role, the sector could be at threat.

The survey showed that:

• 75% of Scotland’s bakers have hard to fill vacancies across their businesses

• There are issues with the quality and availability of candidates across the different roles

• Reasons for the poor quality of applicants is mainly:

- Lack of experience and poor motivation/ attitude cited by 75% of respondents.

- Lack of skills by 50%

• However, the lack of qualifications is not a huge issue (12%) which suggests that the sector is happy to train motivated candidates up from within.

Chief Executive, Alasdair Smith said, “As we began to ease out of the harshest lockdown restrictions, we heard more and more about the recruitment challenges facing our members. In order to quantify the scale of this issue, we undertook a workforce survey of our members last month and the findings were revealing.

“The results showed a sector that has worked hard through the last 18 months showing grit and determination. A sector that has weathered the storm, building back better, ready for growth and is now looking to invest in its existing people and indeed bring new talent in, but the applicants simply aren’t there. Driver shortages have been hitting the headlines but the food sector, in particular our own sector, is also feeling the pinch. We need Government to focus its efforts on investing in and promoting the value of apprenticeships as a positive career path, so the bakers of the future see this route to success clearly and feel confident to join our sector and reap the rewards.”

Scott Anderson, Training and Quality Manager at National Food and Drink Training, (NFDT), our training arm said, “Attracting talent is a massive issue across the United Kingdom. We need an education system that incorporates food & drink as a career choice into the psyche of school kids from an early age and this must be followed through at all stages of their education. Interventions by trade bodies and local business can help nurture new talent. But changing the teaching syllabus to incorporate aspects of food & drink manufacturing, along with work experience programmes to encourage youngsters to come and see the sector, could have a huge impact. The one thing we all need is food and it’s an exciting sector to get into with amazing career opportunities; we just need to get that message out there to bring the best and the brightest in.”

The full survey findings can be found on our website - scottishbakers.org/news

WOULD YOU LIKE OUR HELP PROMOTING YOUR VACANCIES?

If you would like Scottish Bakers to help promote your vacancies, there are two things you can do: 1. Post your vacancy on the bakery jobs section of our website (sign in required) 2. Send the following details to Lucy Wheeler, Marketing & Events Scottish Bakers Workforce Survey 2021 Manager (lucy@scottishbakers.org) for us to share on our social media: - Job role and brief description - Location Q8 If you currently have vacancies, would you regard any of t - How tohese as apply hard to fill” because applicants are not of sufficient quality and/or there Q8: If you currently have vacancies, would you regard any of these as “hard have not been enough applicants (mark ALL that apply) to fill” because applicants are not of sufficient quality and/or there have not been enough applicants (mark ALL that apply) Answered: 10 Skipped: 11 AS WE BEGAN TO EASE OUT OF THE HARSHEST LOCKDOWN 100% RESTRICTIONS, WE HEARD

MORE AND MORE ABOUT THE

80% RECRUITMENT CHALLENGES

FACING OUR MEMBERS.

Scottish Bakers Workforce Survey 2021 Q8 If you currently have vacancies, would you regard any of these as hard to fill” because applicants are not of sufficient quality and/or there have not been enough applicants (mark ALL that apply) Answered: 10 Skipped: 11 100% 80%

60%60%

Alasdair Smith, Scottish Bakers Chief Executive

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20%20%

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