It’s almost time for the Fresh Careers Fair 2017, where the fresh produce industry is showcased to school leavers and students exploring exciting career opportunities within the U.K.’s vibrant fresh produce, hospitality and catering sectors. 

Following a very successful inaugural fair last year, the FCF builds on the 2016 event by bringing academia and commerce together in a packed one-day event promising engagement, education, potential and prospects for the future.

Discerning youngsters and industry professionals can better understand one another’s needs by talking directly and taking part in a series of events throughout the day (March 9, 2017).

The fair brings together catering and hospitality students with some of the U.K.’s leading contract caterers and other foodservice specialists, while fresh produce professionals from some of Britain’s well-known agricultural and horticultural colleges will be there, as well as representatives from catering and culinary schools from across the U.K.

On top of that, there will also be some of the leading recruitment companies from the fresh produce and foodservice sectors.

Academia & commerce

Professionals can explain what the respective sectors have to offer, while students can get fresh insights into these sectors as the Fresh Careers Fair offers a unified platform for companies to enlighten their future employees - catching young people at the right age and time in their lives is key and something FCF is building on from last year’s event.

Organizers are once again tapping into the potential of promising graduates by making sure they realize what the fresh produce industry could offer.

How many high calibre young people slip through the net and choose an alternative career path because they’re not aware of the opportunities within fresh produce? The Fresh Careers Fair is aiming to change that.

Although the event is only in its second year, it already has several success stories of young people finding their career paths as a result of their participation.

University of Leeds business masters student, Michelangelo Dalbosco, attended last year’s fair and now he’s working for one of the U.K.’s leading fresh produce employers, Total Produce. 

CEO Jim Prevor

“As an International Business Masters student, from the University of Leeds, I jumped at the opportunity to participate in the first edition of the Fresh Careers Fair (FCF)," he said.

"It gave me the chance to come face-to-face and network with companies and employers in the U.K. and international retail, wholesale, foodservice, catering, among many others sectors, related to fresh produce.

"The fair was the bridge that connected me to my current employer, Total Produce. I met some recruiters there on the day and gave them my CV. After interviewing I landed the job I wanted with Total Produce, as a graduate trader in international procurement/sales.

"Don’t wait for companies to come to you! Go out and impress them! The FCF is a great opportunity to do that.”

What to expect

- All day careers fair: Leading U.K. fresh produce and foodservice companies will exhibit from 9:30am. Students can drop by the stands to find out more, while industry experts can showcase their business to next generation employees.

- National Careers Service: Experts will be available to give best practice advice and provide direction on CVs, interview techniques, how to use social media to find a job and more.

- Meet a Mentor: Mentoring sessions with leading industry experts, who will offer free face-to-face business consultation sessions.

- Networking lunch

- Professional headshot photos

- Fresh Produce/Foodservice Dragons: Young hopefuls pitch their innovative ideas to a panel of professionals - they have 2-3 minutes to impress experts who will offer valuable feedback on their techniques, ideas, presentation and more - Dragon’s Den style. iPad Minis are on offer as prizes for the best pitches.

Who will be there?

Some of the leading fresh produce companies from the U.K. including:

- Total Produce, global fresh produce company and Europe’s largest fresh produce provider.

- Mack, core customer focus is the U.K. multiple retailer market, with an expanded customer base serving retailers in Europe and South Africa. The company also has extensive contacts in wholesale and foodservice.

- BerryWorld, the U.K.'s leading soft fruit marketing company, supplying fresh berries to retail and foodservice industry.

- Richard Hochfeld, a U.K.-based importer and distributor of fresh produce.

- Freshtime UK Ltd, leading supplier of chilled, value-added, ready-to-eat salads, snacks, prepared vegetables and sandwich fillers to leading retailers and foodservice operators.

- Prophet, software solutions for the food and horticultural industry.

- CH&Co, an independent catering and hospitality group with a diverse portfolio of specialist businesses providing catering, event and service solutions.

- Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and foodservice.

- Springboard, a charity promoting careers and opportunities within the hospitality sector

- Vacherin, a specialist London caterer, dedicated to delivering high quality food and service to discerning business organisations.

There will also be many more…

www.freshfruitportal.com