BALA-BASED The Cake Crew are one of a number of north Wales companies who’ve signed up to a newly-launched initiative aimed at boosting skills in the food and drink industry.

Food and drink manufacturing currently employs over 20,000 people in Wales and wages have grown 13 per cent since 2012.

With the sector undergoing continued growth, the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board has launched a skills strategy at Venue Cymru to promote some of the many exciting careers within it.

As part of the strategy, The Cake Crew signed a Welsh Skills Pledge committing them to working with local schools, unemployed people and the wider community to highlight some of the job opportunities available in the food supply chain. Others who will also be part of the scheme include Harlech Foodservice and Criccieth-based Dylan’s Restaurant.

Activities will include training a ‘Tasty Careers Ambassador’ to visit local schools, and also inviting pupils to their manufacturing site to see for themselves the variety of roles required to produce the food that ends up on our plates.

Other announcements as part of the skills plan include a commitment to increase the availability and provision of apprenticeships within the industry.

Meanwhile, the Welsh Government also unveiled a £3m funding package for ‘Food Skills Cymru’, which will provide technical and staff development training for food and drink companies based in Wales.

Speaking at the launch, Terri Roberts of The Cake Crew said: “We believe it is essential the next generation of workers are inspired to join the industry and equipped with the right skills for them to succeed.

“So we’re delighted to sign the pledge and play our part in helping the industry continue its growth.”

Chair of the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board, Andy Richardson said: “In creating this plan we’ve listened closely to those who work in the industry to understand more about what they need to help them grow.

“By proactively working with local schools and the wider community, we hope this will make people aware of the fantastic careers available in our successful food and drink industry.”