skills acTion Plan for The food and Beverage secTor - Department of ...

CURRENT LABOUR MARKET AND
EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES
high participation for some skill shortages
low productivity
variable sector and regional performance
action by businesses
and individuals
major change projects
aligning activities and
programmes
A HIGH-PERFORMING LABOUR MARKET
high participation for all who seek it
globally-skilled workforce
high productivity
high-performing sectors and regions
Figure 1: Transformation Theme. Source: Better Work, Working Better, Department of Labour.
TRANSFORMATION THEME
In order for the food and beverage sector to grow and
transform (towards a high skill, high wage, high value
economy), a major shift will need to occur in several parts
of the labour market (ie. increased productivity, including
capacity to innovate through science and technology,
reduced skill shortages and increased participation
for those seeking to join the labour force but who are
currently under-represented), as indicated in figure 1.
The combination of these factors will change the way we
manage and organise work in the future.
The food service sector is the single largest employer
in the food industry, followed closely by the food and
beverage manufacturing and food retail sectors.
Of the approximately 337,020 people employed in food
and beverage, approximately 25% are involved in primary
production, 20% in processing and manufacturing, 30%
in wholesaling and retailing and 25% in the food service.
Food and Beverage Employment by Sub-sector:
A transformation will only be achieved through the efforts
of industry and business organisations, unions and other
organisations such as education and training providers.
Government has a role in supporting and facilitating
change at the individual business, regional, sector and
national levels.
Key Facts about the Food and
Beverage Sector
The food and beverage sector is a major contributor to
the New Zealand economy. In terms of export earnings,
the sector recorded $15.4 billion in 2004 compared to $9.3
billion in 1994, representing an annual compound growth
rate of 5.2% during this period.
In 2005, approximately, one in ten people worked in the
sector and it employed 20% of the working population.
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