Shetland food and drink
The Skills Survey and Workforce Development Plan carried out by DEVA helped to inform the development of the food and drink manufacturing sector for the Shetland economy.
The task
Although the Shetland Islands were, and are, renowned for the quality of their produce, relatively little added value processing was being carried out there. The research undertaken by DEVA would identify key skills gaps and would inform future skills development to underpin growth in added value production.
Jill Simpson and DEVA Associate, Moira Stalker, planned their Shetland visits carefully, travelling the length and breadth of the Islands to meet with small and large producers, learning providers and others. Visitng crofts, factories, (even a remote toddler group - but that's another story!) and the northernmost brewery in Scotland, we collected enough information to make our report and recommendations to Shetland Enterprise and its partners.
The sequel
Since then, work has begun to create a Centre of Excellence, as we recommended, and the Taste of Shetland has become a recognised brand.
Jill and Moira have gone on to work on new and very different projects, but have abiding memories of their final appointment in Shetland - to visit the hundreds of puffins nesting on the Sumburgh cliffs!
To find out more, check out progress at http://www.hie.co.uk or see an Executive Summary of the report itself at http://www.hie.co.uk/SHE-Shetland-LEF/food-and-drink-skills-survey-executive-summary.pdf