ProFSET Celebrate Successful Food Engineer Student Launchpad a Mondelēz International

Students in a food lab at Mondelelz

The Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST), the Professional Food Science, Engineering, and Technology Group (ProFSET), and Mondelēz International successfully hosted the ‘Food Engineer Student Launchpad’ in Bournville, Birmingham, on Friday 11 October 2024. The event provided over 80 engineering students from six universities with a unique opportunity to explore the vast range of engineering career opportunities in the food and drink sector.

The food and drink industry, the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, employs over 456,000 people and contributes £25 billion in exports to 220 countries and territories. Despite the industry’s importance, many students are unaware of the exciting engineering prospects it offers. The 'Food Engineer Student Launchpad' aimed to change that by offering students from leading universities an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Mondelēz International's Cadbury factory. The event was organised by Martyn Robinson FIFST, Senior Food Scientist at Mondelez, bringing together organisations from across the food system including IFST, ProFSET, PepsiCo, the Food and Drink Federation, and the six participating universities, with a vision to expand the scope of the event in future.

Participants from Loughborough University, University of Lincoln, University of Nottingham, University of Birmingham, University of Warwick, and Aston University toured the iconic Cadbury factory and gained insights into the complex engineering processes behind chocolate production. The students explored key areas such as cocoa roasting, chocolate refining, product manufacturing, packaging mechatronics, and research and development (R&D) innovations driving the industry.

In addition to the factory tour, the event featured an employability session where industry experts, including Tom Bullock, Process Development Engineer at PepsiCo, and Kate Bailey, Early Careers Lead at Mondelēz International, shared valuable advice on pursuing careers in the food and drink sector. Their insights highlighted the diverse range of engineering roles available and how students can enter this dynamic field.

While students were touring the factory, a roundtable took place featuring representatives from the six universities, Mondelēz International, PepsiCo, the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), and the Food and Drink Federation (FDF). Discussions centred on building connections and future programmes to encourage students from a range of STEM backgrounds to consider careers and opportunities in the food system.

ProFSET, a collaborative group of twelve professional organisations including the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the Institute of Physics (IOP), the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), organised the event to continue fostering innovation and inspiring the next generation of professionals in the food and drink industry. This event built on the success of ProFSET's inaugural event in 2023, reinforcing its commitment to knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

The day began with a welcome address from Dr Ian Noble, Vice President of R&D Global Research & Productivity at Mondelēz International, who set the tone for a day filled with learning and exploration. Noble commented “At Mondelēz International, we are deeply passionate about nurturing fresh talent and guiding them towards long, rewarding careers within the food system. The food industry is one of the most dynamic and exciting fields to work in, offering endless opportunities to innovate and make a meaningful impact on global well-being. Careers in food are not only essential but also incredibly fulfilling, as they allow individuals to shape the future of nutrition, sustainability, and consumer experiences. We are fully committed to supporting and inspiring the next generation of professionals in food."

Mondelēz International, with its globally renowned brands such as Cadbury, Oreo, Toblerone, and BelVita, played host to this landmark event at their Bournville site, which is home to its Global Centre of Excellence for Chocolate Research and Development, and Cadbury factory, where much-loved treats including Cadbury Dairy Milk, Wispa and Cadbury Heroes are produced. In 2024, Cadbury has been celebrating 200 years since its founding in 1824, with Bournville providing an iconic setting to teach students about careers in the food system.

For more information about future ProFSET events or IFST initiatives, visit www.ifst.org.

About IFST:

The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) is the leading professional body for those involved in all aspects of food science and technology. IFST supports its members in the continuous development of their knowledge and professional skills, contributing to the advancement of food science and technology for the benefit of all.

For further information, please visit https://www.ifst.org/ac24

About Mondelēz International:

Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2023 net revenues of approximately $36 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, Ritz, LU, Clif Bar and Tate's Bake Shop biscuits and baked snacks, as well as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

Media Contact:

Robert Edge-Partington

IFST Senior Communications Manager

r.edgepartington@ifst.org

+44 (0) 7534 920052

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