The confectionery 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; beer; 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 confectionery industry includes: the manufacture of cocoa and chocolate confectionery; as well as the manufacture of sugar confectionery. It includes many well-known organisations, such as Nestlé, Cadbury and Thorntons.
Key facts:
- There are 20,600 people working in the confectionery industry across Great Britain, which represents 5% of those employed in Great Britain’s food and drink manufacturing sector. However, this does not take account of pending job losses that will result for the recent takeover of Cadbury by an American company.
- 6% of businesses employ 200 or more staff, 63% employ 10 or less staff.
- 20% of the workforce is 50 years or older.
- 32% of the current workforce will be eligible for retirement within the next 20 years.
- 27% of the workforce has a degree or equivalent qualification.
- The highest qualification for majority of the workforce is GCSE grades A‐C (16%) or A Levels (19%).
- 12% of the workforce has no qualifications.
- 91% of the workforce is employed full‐time.
Jobs in the industry range from: quality assurance manager, production assistant, multi‐skilled engineer, new product development manager, sugar confectioner, chocolatier.
National and regional data
East Midlands – The region accounts for 13% of all industry employees and 7% 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 4% of all industry employees and 7% of all industry workplaces. The meat, and fruit and vegetable processing industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
London – The region accounts for 2% of all industry employees and 7% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and other food industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
North East – The region accounts for 4% of all industry employees and 2% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
North West – The region accounts for 10% of all industry employees and 16% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
South East – The region accounts for 10% 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 11% of all industry employees and 10% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
West Midlands – The region accounts for 25% of all industry employees and 9% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector. However, these figures do not take account of pending job losses that will result for the recent takeover of Cadbury by an American company.
Yorkshire and the Humber – The region accounts for 34% of all industry employees and 12% 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.]
