Scientific Skills Recruitment in the Food Sector Set to Grow in 2010

LONDON, February 22, 2010 - A recent survey of over 550 scientific organisations shows a UK wide
positive outlook for 2010 recruitment.

Although the UK science labour market had a tough 2009, shedding both
permanent and contract staff, the food sector has been resilient to the
consumer downturn and saw an increase in the requirement for skilled
scientists. The majority of respondents in this sector found it no harder in
2009 than 2008 to recruit staff, in fact compared to the scientific sector as
a whole, Food companies found it much easier to recruit.

However, from the sectors who took part in the survey, Food were using
the least staff compared to the previous year but they are now near the top
in terms of hiring permanent staff. This trend is the opposite though when it
comes to contract staff, with companies in this sector using less than last
year - a trend that has continued from 2008.

Bruce Swan, food industry specialist for SRG, says: "The outlook for 2010
is looking positive with the food sector predicting growth in permanent staff
hire during 2010, which follows the general trend throughout the science
community."

Now in its fourth year the 2009-2010 survey was completed by 554 UK
employers of scientists, including food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, oil,
petrochemical, biotechnology and healthcare companies, research institutes
and government departments. All were involved in recruitment and were mostly
working in an HR or senior technical/scientific role. The results show both
regional and sector specific trends.

See a copy of the full survey
(www.srg.co.uk/news-and-events/surveys/report254.aspx)

For further information please contact: Emma Mills, Marketing &
Communications Manager, SRG, Telephone: +44(0)1753-589-672,
E-mail: emma.mills@srg.co.uk

www.srg.co.uk

For further information please contact: Emma Mills, Marketing & Communications Manager, SRG, Telephone: +44(0)1753-589-672 E-mail: emma.mills at srg.co.uk