This is probably the most diverse sector we recruit for. We work for businesses who supply the fundamental constituents to sectors such as cosmetics, pharmaceutical, coatings/paints, adhesives, polymers – even the military! Each of these are important in their own right, but their impact on our everyday lives can often be overlooked (can you imagine a world without colour paint or books without inks!?). The cosmetics sector relies on incredibly subtle chemistry and creativity; The pharmaceutical sector plays an obvious role in maintaining our well-being in both prevention and curing of thousands of ailments – turning molecules into medicines.
But a lot of the work we do is within arguably the most essential sector for our survival – The Food & Drink Industry. It’s the largest manufacturing sector in the country accounting for nearly 16% of all manufacturing, employing over 400 000 people across more than 6000 businesses. As an essential part of the food chain, the industry lies at the heart of our well-being and needs to communicate with governments, regulators, the media and of course consumers.
Furthermore the science involved in food draws upon disciplines such as chemical engineering, biology, and biochemistry. So while the breadth and depth of the career opportunities available are enormous, it needs to be in order to develop and safeguard our nutritional needs. It could be said that we’re feeding an industry that feeds the world – all 7 billion of us!