The Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST) and the Professional Food Science, Engineering and Technology Group (ProFSET) are excited to announce the ‘Food Engineer Student Launchpad,’ taking place on 11 October 2024 at Mondelēz International in Bourneville, Birmingham. This unique event aims to highlight the vibrant career opportunities available in the food and drink sector for engineering students.
The food and drink industry is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, yet many students remain unaware of the extensive opportunities it offers. The ‘Food Engineer Student Launchpad’ seeks to change this by offering engineering students a firsthand look at the sector’s potential. The industry directly employs over 456,000 people in the UK, with exports contributing £25bn per year and going to 220 countries and territories worldwide, showcasing the global contribution of UK food and drink.
A select group of 70 students from Loughborough University, University of Lincoln, University of Nottingham, University of Birmingham, University of Warwick, and Aston University have been invited to participate. These students will have the exclusive opportunity to go behind the scenes at Mondelēz International's iconic Cadbury factory. Here, they will gain insights into the engineering processes behind chocolate formulation, manufacture, packaging, and new product development. Additionally, an employability session will introduce them to various engineering careers within the industry and provide guidance on how to enter this dynamic field.
The event is organised by ProFSET, which includes prestigious members such as the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST), The Institute of Physics (IOP), The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE), The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), The Society for Applied Microbiology (SfAM), The Society of Dairy Technology (SDT), and The Nutrition Society (NS). Together, these organisations represent over 10,000 food and drink professionals, working collaboratively to share knowledge and inspire future talent in the sector.
ProFSET, which held its inaugural event in 2023, continues to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its ten member organisations, driving innovation and inspiring the next generation of food and drink professionals.
For more information about the ‘Food Engineer Student Launchpad’ event and the full programme, please visit www.ifst.org/foodengineerstudentlaunchpad2024.
If you have any questions, please contact Robin Leaper, IFST Education and Careers Coordinator, r.leaper@ifst.org.
