Careers and recruitment: Tackling the ‘quiet crisis’

That is the message of a report published earlier this year by the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD): “Food and drink workforce – a quiet crisis building?”

 

The IGD is looking not just at retail but at the whole of the food sector – including production. It warns that the long‑term structural workforce shortages across the UK food system pose a growing risk to national food security.

 

IGD’s analysis shows the sector is now facing a labour and skills crunch that will not correct itself, even with economic recovery. At the same time, almost one million young people remain detached from the labour market, leaving a huge pool of untapped potential while businesses struggle to fill essential roles across agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, retail and hospitality.

 

So far, businesses have shielded consumers from disruption, but the report warns the sector is reaching a tipping point. This “quiet crisis” behind supermarket shelves risks becoming visible through reduced availability, declining service levels, rising costs and increased operational strain throughout the supply chain.

 

In response, IGD is expanding and relaunching its “Feeding Britain’s Future” programme, with interventions designed to strengthen the industry’s talent pipeline. These include supporting free cross-industry learning, a national schools programme, partnerships with universities and a drive to raise awareness generally about careers in the food sector.

 

This has its parallels in the challenges facing the aquaculture sector specifically. Here too, the industry is taking steps to get the message across to young people: there is a great career to be had in this industry. Or in truth, a number of great careers, given the variety of roles within aquaculture.

 

Earlier this year, for example, more than 200 school pupils took part in a special careers event at Campbeltown Grammar School, organised in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Argyll and Bute and trade body Salmon Scotland.

 

The event brought together employers, researchers, and sector organisations from across the west coast, including Mowi Scotland, AKVA Group, BioMar, Scottish Sea Farms, Hendrix Genetics, the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), and Seaweed Scotland.

 

Pupils took part in a series of hands-on sessions linking classroom subjects to real-world roles in aquaculture, technology and the marine environment.

 

The industry is also working with educational institutions to further develop training pathways into aquaculture.

 

For example, rural skills body Lantra Scotland has recently released two new student workbooks to support the National Progression Award (NPA) Level 4 in Aquaculture, the only direct pathway from school into the sector and a crucial link between marine farms and the communities around them.

 

Developed over nine months in collaboration with Bakkafrost Scotland, Mowi Scotland, Scottish Sea Farms and UHI Argyll, the workbooks address the need for professional, engaging materials that support consistent delivery across schools. Each resource includes topic introductions, activity-based learning, and space for pupils to document their work experience insights, helping connect theory to practice.

 

Head of Aquaculture at Lantra, Dr Jillian Couto-Phoenix, said: “This project shows what can be achieved when education and industry come together with a shared purpose.

 

“By collaborating closely, we’ve been able to create resources that give young people a clearer, more engaging insight into aquaculture, helping them build confidence and develop the skills that are valued across the sector.”