An inspirational programme – relaunched as the Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors initiative in early 2023 – is encouraging a new generation to explore careers within the nation’s flourishing food and drink sector.
These dedicated Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors bring different aspects of the industry to life by sharing their everyday experiences, effectively illuminating the vast career landscape within food and drink.
The Ambassadors programme has seen remarkable growth in the last two years. Currently, 98 dedicated Ambassadors from a total of 33 employers spanning the country are actively engaging with young people.
Their commitment has delivered more than 560 hours of activities, reaching a massive 17,914 participants across 86 schools and 10 community groups. This impactful engagement has generated a substantial social value estimated at more than £2million.
The programme celebrates its successes in promoting #AFutureInFood, connecting students with professionals from a wide range of Scottish food and drink businesses.
Diverse employers such as seed potato producer Agrico, Albert Bartlett & Sons in Airdrie, drinks producers Chivas and Edrington, as well as Scottish Sea Farms and Bakkafrost, are signed up.
Ambassadors participate in various activities, ranging from school career fairs and classroom lessons to site visits and appearances at larger-scale events like Peterhead SeaFest and the Royal Highland Show.
Mary Holland, Project Co-ordinator for Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors, said: “We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our dedicated Ambassadors and the significant impact they have had on young people across Scotland.
“The enthusiasm from industry professionals to share their stories and the positive response from students have been truly inspiring. These real-life connections are vital in showcasing the breadth and dynamism of the Scottish food and drink sector and in nurturing the talent pipeline for the future.”
Isla Mackay, an assistant environmental advisor with Chivas at Miltonduff Distillery in Elgin exemplifies the dedication of the Ambassadors.
“It’s fun to do and you feel reinvigorated after delivering a session,” she said.
“And in a way, you get to pitch your job which always gives you a different perspective. This in turn helps out teachers, who might not be as confident when they’re talking about different career paths and workplaces.”
Petya Dimitrova, QHSE manager at Lazy DayFoods, producers of free-from and vegan treats, has also found the experience enriching.
“Initially, the activities were organised through work rather than me engaging with the experience. Now I offer my help rather than waiting to be asked,” she said.
“I’ve learned so much from when I started as an Ambassador. Sometimes you have to think outside the box, but that’s how you’ll engage the next generation in food & drink.”
Jeni Adamson, Industry Engagement Manager at Seafood Scotland, underscores the importance of the programme in addressing misconceptions.
“We work hard to dispel the myth that it’s cold, smelly and poorly paid,” she said.
“In reality, it offers a vast range of roles with excellent pay, opportunities for international travel, and cutting-edge technology. If people don’t have exposure to the different types of careers, they won’t know they exist. And if parents and careers advisers aren’t aware, they can’t guide students.”
For those interested in becoming a Food & Drink Ambassador and playing a part in inspiring the future workforce, the sign-up process involves several straightforward steps, beginning with registration as an Ambassador at www.stem.org.uk/register and adding the Scottish Food and Drink Ambassadors Scheme to their profile.
If you want to play a part in inspiring the future workforce, there’s more information on how to take part at https://bit.ly/FnDAmb
