The beer industry is part of the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector, represented by Improve Sector Skills Council, which also includes the following industries: bakery; animal feed; confectionery; dairy; fish; meat; and soft drinks. The sector as a whole currently employs 460,000 people in more than 11,100 workplaces and 15,800 retail baker, butcher and fishmonger outlets. 24% of the workforce is employed in the bakery industry and 21% in meat industry. At a regional level, 14% of the workforce is located in the North East, 13% in Yorkshire and Humberside, plus 13% in the East Midlands.
The UK beer industry covers Breweries (making beer and other products) and the manufacture and brewing of: Ale; Beer; Black beer; Lager; Low and non-alcoholic beer; Porter; and Stout. It includes many well-known companies (such as Carlsberg, Scottish & Newcastle and Greene King). The manufacture of beer industry accounts for 37% of the total number employed in the beverages sector in Great Britain.
Key facts:
- There are over 13,900 people working in the beer industry, which represents 3% of those employed in Great Britain’s food and drink manufacturing sector.
- 5% of businesses employ 200 or more staff, 79% employ 10 or less staff.
- 22% of the workforce is 50 years or older.
- 38% of the current workforce will be eligible for retirement within the next 20 years.
- 16% of the workforce has a degree or equivalent qualification.
- The highest qualification for majority of the workforce is GCSE grades A-C (27%) or A Levels (25%).
- 10% of the workforce has no qualifications.
- 99% of the workforce is permanent.
Jobs in the industry range from: quality assurance manager, multi-skilled engineers, bottling manager, product development manager, brewer, beer controller.
National and regional data
East Midlands – The region accounts for 4% of all industry employees and 9% of all industry workplaces. The meat, other food, bakery, and fruit and vegetable processing industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
East of England – The region accounts for 18% of all industry employees and 11% of all industry workplaces. The meat, and fruit and vegetable processing industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
London – The region accounts for 11% of all industry employees and 2% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and other food industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
North East – The region accounts for 2% of all industry employees and 3% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
North West – The region accounts for 11% of all industry employees and 12% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
South East – The region accounts for 9% of all industry employees and 11% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and other food industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
South West – The region accounts for 8% of all industry employees and 16% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
West Midlands – The region accounts for 12% of all industry employees and 11% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
Yorkshire and the Humber – The region accounts for 12% of all industry employees and 10% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
[N.B. The following data are for the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector as a whole.]
Northern Ireland – More than 18,900 people are employed in the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector in Northern Ireland, accounting for 5% of the UK sector workforce. The meat industry dominates regional employment in the sector.
Scotland – Around 49,000 people are employed in the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector in Scotland across 1,500 workplaces. The bakery and drinks industries dominate Scottish employment in the sector.
Wales – Around 23,700 people are employed in the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector in Wales across 600 workplaces. The meat and bakery industries dominate Welsh employment in the sector.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008 and Annual Business Inquiry, 2007.]
