Unlocking potential: why life skills are key for Scotland's food and drink sector
Feeding Workforce Skills was devised to promote existing support available for food & drink employers to recruit, retain and develop their workforce.
Created by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership, it continues to bring together relevant key information from different sources onto one simple platform – and in this, our third phase, we are looking at life skills.
Scotland’s food & drink sector thrives on innovation and collaboration.
While technical expertise is essential, the success of businesses increasingly hinges on the people and the “life skills” of your workforce.
These higher-order skills – such as self-management, social intelligence and innovation – equip employees to navigate a rapidly changing world, adapt to new challenges and drive business growth.
Life skills: more than just a buzzword
The traditional world of work is changing. In today's dynamic environment, life skills are not optional extras, they are essential for individual and organisational success. They encompass a broad range of abilities that go beyond specific job roles, including:
self-management: the ability to cope with change, manage stress and maintain well-being. In a fast-paced industry, employees who can effectively manage their time, prioritise tasks and maintain a healthy work-life balance are invaluable assets.
social intelligence: this includes strong communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills. In a collaborative sector, the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers is crucial for success.
innovation: this involves creative thinking, problem-solving and the ability to adapt to new ideas and technologies. In an industry constantly evolving with new trends and technologies, fostering a culture of innovation is vital for long-term growth.
Self-evaluation wheel
If you’re interested in a deeper dive into this, take a look here
You can also look more deeply at the individual skills and abilities here
Why it matters
And why is this important to you?
Investing time in your people is investing in your greatest asset. They are ambassadors, innovators, coaches and cheerleaders and it’s your people that will help your business survive and thrive.
And because good employers attract good people.
In today's dynamic environment, employees with strong life skills are more adaptable, resilient and productive. They are better equipped to:
collaborate effectively, working seamlessly within teams and across departments.
solve complex problems and find innovative solutions.
communicate effectively
motivate and empower others, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
adapt to change by embracing new technologies and work practices and thrive in an uncertain future
Discover more in this section about developing life skills…
