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Research commissioned into business benefits of training

Improve, the food and drink sector skills council, has commissioned research into the business benefits of training in the food and drink manufacturing industry.

Jack Matthews, chief executive of Improve, said: "The importance of skills is often recognised by employers, but many aren't sure exactly how the benefits of training may impact on their business. The purpose of this study is to enhance employers' understanding of the value of skills in business, and to provide the evidence companies need when they're considering whether to invest in skills."

According to Improve, the four-month study will involve a survey of more than 200 food and drink manufacturers and will pull together relevant findings from existing research dedicated to the value of skills.

The research is being carried out by the Centre for Labour Market Studies (CLMS) within the University of Leicester.

Improve says food and drink is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, employing 500,000 people in more than 11,000 workplaces, with a turnover of £74 billion per year. However, according to the sector skills council, more than half the workforce is not qualified above level two - the equivalent of five GCSEs - and 28 per cent lack any basic skills.

"The food and drink sector in the UK is second only to Canada in terms of productivity," said Mr Matthews. "But this position is unsustainable, and unless we take action to up-skill, we will find ourselves slipping down the world rankings."

The research results are expected in May 2008.

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