RP hosted a job fair linking talent to food manufacturing, fostering opportunities in this sector.

In a world with an ever-growing population, as well as uncertainties brought about by myriad factors such as climate change, crises, and supply chain disruptions, food security is increasingly important. This is especially true for Singapore due to its limited resources and reliance on food imports.

To address these pressing needs, Singapore has committed itself to support food manufacturing companies whose innovations have the potential to enhance the nation’s productivity. The Food Manufacturing Industry Transformation Map (ITM) was unveiled in 2022, outlining strategic approaches to foster sectoral growth and drive transformative changes within the industry.

RP also demonstrates its commitment to supporting the ITM and the local food manufacturing industry by actively contributing to sectoral growth. This includes facilitating partnerships between industry stakeholders and potential jobseekers, establishing robust talent pipelines, and driving workforce transformation through collaborative efforts and the infusion of fresh talent into the industry.

New Talent, New Industry

Graced by Guest-of-Honour, Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Joint Polytechnic-ITE Food Manufacturing Career Fair took place on 19 July 2023 at RP. The event aimed to facilitate connections between job seekers and industry professionals from 25 companies and two Institutes of Higher Learning.

Through booths, panels, and industry talks, food manufacturers shared insights and experiences with job seekers, providing a platform for the industry to attract new talent and perspectives. With more than 400 participants in attendance, companies were able to offer over 200 full-time jobs and 100 internship opportunities at the fair.

A Playbook for Food Manufacturers

Guest-of-Honour, Ms Low, launched the Internship Playbook for Food Manufacturers at the fair. This step-by-step guide was created to help food manufacturers model meaningful internships through the templates provided. By nurturing their young talent, companies are more likely to retain them as quality employees.

Launch of the Internship Playbook for Food Manufacturers

To illustrate the benefits such internships could bring, Ms. Low recounted the experience of a student from The National University of Singapore, who interned at aroma and taste company, KH Roberts. She now conducts R&D and manages strategic research projects.

By implementing guidelines from the playbook, companies stand to improve talent pipelines, boosting innovation and creativity.

Transforming the Workforce with Collaborations

RP’s contributions to the food manufacturing industry extend beyond creating a skilled workforce. Industry partners are also supported through strategic collaborations.

For example, in 2022, RP collaborated with Hafnium Ventures to help commercialise their soy cheese products — alternative plant-based cheeses designed to meet the needs of Singapore’s growing plant-based market. The company was able to utilise RP’s facilities and expertise to jointly develop these cheese products under the SoiLabs venture.

Through continuous efforts in supporting the growth and transformation of food manufacturers in Singapore, RP aims to drive innovation in the sector, paving the way for a more sustainable future.