New Winter Fair activity pack aims to inspire future Welsh food and drink workforce
New Winter Fair activity pack aims to inspire future Welsh food and drink workforce
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A new educational initiative has been launched to help secondary school pupils explore the breadth of career opportunities within Wales’ food and drink sector, one of the nation’s most important and innovative industries.
The Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme has unveiled a comprehensive Winter Fair Activity Pack designed to turn the Royal Welsh Winter Fair into an interactive Careers and Work-Related Experiences (CWRE) lesson.
The resource is intended to help young people connect the livestock, produce and innovation on display at the show with the wide range of skilled roles behind the industry.
Wales’ food and drink sector employs more than 220,000 people, yet industry leaders say many young people remain unaware of the sheer variety of jobs available stretching far beyond farming, catering and hospitality.
The pack encourages pupils to trace the journey of Welsh produce “from farm to fork,” highlighting how farmers, scientists, engineers, marketers, designers and technologists all play essential roles in bringing food to market.
It emphasises emerging fields such as food science, product innovation, engineering and packaging technology, showcasing the industry’s blend of scientific, creative, practical and commercial skills.
Nia Griffith, Engagement Manager for the Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme, said: “The Winter Fair is a phenomenal showcase of Welsh excellence, but it’s also a live job board.
This activity pack is vital for showing secondary pupils that the food they enjoy and the products they see are the result of incredible teamwork, technology, and science.
“The Welsh Food and Drink industry is crying out for talented young people, and we want to help them see exactly where their skills – whether in maths, science, creativity, or engineering, can lead to a fulfilling career.”
The resource concludes with a “Next Steps” section, signposting teachers to follow-up support from organisations including the Food & Drink Skills Wales programme and the Tasty Careers initiative.
Alongside the launch, the programme has partnered with Hybu Cig Cymru / Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), which will host live butchery demonstrations on the second day of the Winter Fair.
The showcase aims to demonstrate the technical expertise behind butchery and highlight the diverse career paths available across the food and drink supply chain.
Elwen Roberts, Consumer Executive Officer at HCC, said: “I’m delighted to be working with the Food & Drink Skills Wales programme on this butchery demonstration.
“It’s a fantastic chance to showcase the skill and precision involved in the craft, and more importantly, to highlight the incredible career opportunities that exist within our vibrant food and drink industry.”
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