This Network is a partnership between CDN, The Scotland Food & Drink Skills Advisory Group, The Food and Drink Federation Scotland and SDS.

Purpose of the Network

This Network supports the Scotland Food and Drink Recovery Plan, which is a joint industry and Scottish Government programme for Scotland’s farming, fishing, food and drink sector. From September 2022, Hospitality and Tourism has been added to this network, allowing for greater collaboration across all strands. Colleges play a critical role developing the sectors workforce, either through new interventions for industry, such as ongoing CPD and upskilling, or via existing college courses from which people exit to the workforce or to further and higher-level study.

Focus of the Network

  • Rotating membership on the Scotland Food & Drink Skills Advisory Group, providing a voice and input into skills planning activity
  • Assessing industry insight on skills challenges and opportunities and developing appropriate provision to support the sectors needs
  • Identifying and promoting business engagement, developing a strong narrative of partnership working and the demonstrable impact of activity
  • Opportunity for ‘Spotlight’ sessions for colleges to share knowledge and experience of working with businesses in the sector
  • Sharing expertise and industry insights to ensure courses and qualifications remain relevant and future focussed, opportunities for college staff CPD and industry placements as appropriate
  • Identifying and developing future training and qualification needs with industry partners, to support the emerging needs of businesses, for example, digital and new technologies, net zero, and product development
  • Working collaboratively to consider potential funding opportunities to support these future-focussed developments

Who should attend?

College staff who manage and deliver relevant programmes of study, and the industry partners they work with.

External Partners

Additional external partners include SFC and spotlight employers.

CDN Lead

Jo Turbitt