The Food and Drink Sector Skills Council (FDSSC) has published its manifesto for the future of training in its industry.

Under the trading name Improve Ltd, the FDSSC's manifesto sets out its plans to improve recruitment, retention and training in the £66billion food and drink manufacturing industry.

Its stated goal is to make the food and drink industry a career of choice and to help the 500,000 people already employed in the sector to develop a clear career path with structured training.

Although Improve will not provide training services, it will provide a strategic framework for training and development in the sector.

It plans to work with all the existing training providers to create common standards with qualifications to recognise individual achievement.

Chairman designate Paul Wilkinson called for feedback on the manifesto.

He said: 'The enormity of the task has been made obvious by the extensive research which we have carried out with all sizes and types of companies, across the UK. What our industry most needs is a cohesive approach to training.'