Young professionals keen to boost skills

Grocer, Sept 6, 2008 by Julia Taylor

Food industry professionals are demanding more training so they can develop the skills needed to ride out the economic storm.

A survey of more than 3,000 young professionals by IGD's young managers networking group Leading Edge this week revealed that professionals have made training their top career priority, followed by networking.

"The findings debunk the myth that, in less certain economic times, workers believe they should just put in longer hours to get on," said Leading Edge business development manager Shanna Ritchie.

"Conventional wisdom may say professionals ought to chain themselves to their desk during a downturn. However, this survey reveals that workers recognise that developing their own skills, and getting out and about to network, is a much smarter approach."

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The survey's respondents said they were encouraging their employers to continue offering development opportunities during the credit crunch.

Asked what their employers should focus on in the current turbulent conditions, training was a priority followed by immediate business needs of keeping costs down, marketing and NPD.

The research was carried out ahead of the Leading Edge Annual Convention, which takes place in London on 23 September. For more information go to www.leadingedge.igd.com.