Find out more about the great range of graduate career options for Food Scientists!
This UK Framework to outline key competencies for food sciences graduates has proven a popular careers resource since its launch on this IFST page in 2018. Recently updated, we hope this is a useful careers development tool for current students, graduates and also an interesting tool for those looking to explore the range of technical opportunities for food science graduates.
Universities appreciate the requirement to produce employable, ‘work ready’ graduates and the demand for competent graduate scientists in our food industry is high. Responding to the challenge, Emma Weston, at University of Nottingham initiated a research project, completed in 2018 to explore what makes a ‘great graduate for the food industry’ and how educational providers can optimise the courses to facilitate this. Collaborating with University of Reading and Sheffield Hallam University, the original work was refreshed for relaunch in 2023. ‘Competencies for Food Graduate Careers’, developed in collaboration with IFST and representatives from SMEs, retailers, manufacturers, research and development, higher education institutions, aims to disseminate a competency framework tailored to typical technical careers pathways for graduates entering the food industry.
The core document comprises of a list of elements that provide a consistent and relevant set of behaviours, knowledge and skills that may be desirable in a food science graduate. A list of 14 role types and associated definitions were then reviewed and ratified by the industry stakeholder group. They are illustrated below:
Key stakeholders involved in the project initially and during the refresh included: University of Nottingham, University of Reading, Sheffield Hallam University, Aldi, Bighams, Campden BRI, Compass, IFST, Mondelez, Finsbury Food Group, Freshcut Foods, Greencore, M&S, MorePeople, PepsiCo, Sainsbury’s, Samworth Brothers, Warburtons, as well as Cardiff Metropolitan University and Queens University Belfast. Over 200 responses were obtained from the wider food and drink industry in the initial survey, which was further refreshed in 2022/23 in conjunction with an industry stakeholder group.
Emma Weston commented: “We are really passionate about developing the highest quality food sciences graduates to enter the UK food and drink industry. This means more than just delivering excellent scientific education; students also need to have developed a wider set of competencies to enable them to be successful in their first graduate job. The support from industry has been superb and provided material that is as true to life as possible. There are a range of uses for 'Competencies for Food Graduate Careers’, but the core aim is for it to be of practical value to all students in their personal development and securing their first role in indust
A simple interactive tool can also be used by students to help them identify and pursue careers suited to their strengths; employers to help with recruitment and selection; and educators to help ensure courses reflect the needs of the food sector.
For more information about the project, please contact one of the project partners
- Emma Weston emma.weston@nottingham.ac.uk
- Maria Jose Oruna-Concha m.j.oruna-concha@reading.ac.uk
- Caroline Millman c.e.millman@shu.ac.uk
Linked papers/associated publications
Wakeham Review, UK Government, 2016
Weston, E J E, Millman, C, Setarehnejad, A, Bennett, E J, Oruna-Concha, M J.. Career management for UK food degree students at multiple institutes using an industry-developed professional competencies framework. J Food Sci Educ. (2021); 20: 99– 109. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4329.12224
Weston, E, Foster, T, Crilly, J, Mossop, L. Development of a professional competency framework for UK food science graduates. J Food Sci Educ. 2020; 19: 10– 25. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4329.12173
WESTON E, BENLLOCH TINOCO M, MOSSOP L, MCCULLOUGH F and FOSTER T, 2020. Curriculum Mapping Food Science Programs: An Approach to Quantification of Professional Competencies Journal of Food Science Education. 19(2), 97-108
WESTON E., CRILLY J., MOSSOP L. and FOSTER T., 2017. Competencies for food graduate careers: developing a language tool Higher Education Pedagogies. 2, 101-115