« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
SMARTER - R&D, Skills, Training and Labelling
Chart 2.1 Spending on research and development in food and drink manufacturing in Scotland as a percentage of GVA, 1998-2006
Source: Business and Enterprise Research and Development, ONS
In 2006, expenditure on research and development in food and drink manufacturing was £7.5 million. This amounted to 0.25% of the GVA in the sector.
Spending on R&D in 2006 was highest as the percentage of GVA since 2002, when it was 0.29%.
Chart 2.2 Skill shortages and skill gaps in food and drink manufacturing and wholesaling in Scotland, 2004 and 2006
Source: Scottish Employers Skills Survey 2004, 2006
- Skill shortages as percentage of employees were lower in the food and drink manufacturing and wholesaling sectors in both 2004 and 2006. On the rest of the measures, food and drink sectors performed as well as or worse than other sectors.
- Improvements were made in 2006 compared to 2004 on all measures apart from skill gaps as a percentage of workforce.
Note: Skill shortages refer to vacancies that are hard to fill because applicants lack the necessary skills, qualifications and experience. Skill gaps arise when an employer judges that an employee is not fully proficient in their job.
Chart 2.3 Skills lacking in employees with skill gaps in food and drink manufacturing and wholesaling, 2006
Source: Scottish Employers Skills Survey 2004, 2006
- Food and drink manufacturing and wholesaling sectors lacked some technical and practical skills (61%) and oral communication skills (50%).
- Team-working, problem-solving and planning organising skills were less likely to be lacking in the food and drink sectors than in other sectors.
Chart 2.4 Food and drink manufacturing and wholesaling workplaces participating in Government-funded training schemes in Scotland, 2004 and 2006
Source: Scottish Employers Skills Survey 2004, 2006
- Participation in Government-funded training schemes was higher in the food and drink manufacturing and wholesaling sectors than in other sectors in both 2004 and 2006.
- Participation increased in 2006 compared to 2004 in all schemes, apart from modern apprenticeships.
* Figure is not robust
Chart 2.5 Frequency of referring to labelling information by Scottish consumers, 2007
Source: Consumer Attitudes to Food Standards: Wave 8, Scotland Report, 2008
- In 2007, 25% of all Scottish consumers always referred to labelling information provided on food and drink products. 20% usually referred to labelling.
- In contrast, 15% claimed to never refer to labelling before consumption or purchase.
Chart 2.6 Information looked for on food labels by Scottish consumers (unprompted) - key categories, 2007
Source: Consumer Attitudes to Food Standards: Wave 8, Scotland Report, 2008
- 40% of Scottish consumers looked for salt content and 38% looked for fat content of the food products.
- 27% looked for best before/use by date and 11% looked for country of origin.
Chart 2.7 Scottish consumers views on the amount of information provided by food labelling, 2007
Source: Consumer Attitudes to Food Standards: Wave 8, Scotland Report, 2008
- The majority of Scottish consumers felt the amount of information provided by food labels was about right.
- 20% felt there was not enough information provided and 8% thought that there was too much labelling information.
« Previous | Contents | Next »