FEA Conference 2025: NextGen gets thumbs up at Host

FEA Conference 2025: NextGen gets thumbs up at Host
“Hot topic” – conference launch for initiative designed to attract young talent to the industry

The FEA Industry Conference will see the launch of an important initiative designed to attract young talent into the hospitality and foodservice equipment industries.  FEA’s NextGen plans will be put in front of conference delegates in a key presentation and, in advance of the unveiling, the association’s CE John Cunningham sought comment from exhibitors at Host. 

The concept behind NextGen is to develop clear, tangible pathways into the industry for young people, with support for their career in terms of professional growth and upskilling, plus the development of social and networking opportunities. 

At Host, exhibitors were fulsome in their support of the initiative.  Julian Fisher of Parts Town described recruiting young people as “the hot topic.”  He added, “We’re looking for young, vibrant talent but this isn’t the first industry they look at.  However, when we explain the industry, the idiosyncrasies of what we do, young people love it.  It’s an amazing industry to be in – we just need to let people know that!”   

TableCraft’s Jeff Tait agreed.  “We can do a better job of educating people on how to get into the industry.  They don’t know it exists!  They know they go out, to bars, to eat, but they don’t know how to get into the industry.” 

Natalie Courbet of Exclusive Ranges asked, “How do you make stainless steel attractive to newcomers?  It’s the people that make our industry special.  You don’t ever want to leave once you’ve joined it.” 

Winterhalter’s Glenn Roberts agreed with Natalie.  “We have a young guy that’s just joined us, and I can see that the scales have fallen from his eyes about what he’s actually doing and what it means to customers.”

ENSE’s Bob Adams added, “This is a great industry, it can offer a great career, working with wonderful people.  The people, the projects and the challenges bring a lot of enthusiasm to attract young talent.” 

Kane Needs of Marren Microwave said, “Look at our industry, look how good it is, look how big it is, look at how many opportunities we’ve got.  That’s how you get buy-in with younger people.”

Victoria Curran of I. Grunwerg Ltd thinks the foodservice industry has an edge when it comes to attracting youngsters.  “There’s big interest in cooking now and this is a sector that can bring in the young generation,” she said.   

MKN’s Wayne Bennet says that recruiting young people is ‘in MKN’s DNA’, and around 10% of the company’s workforce are apprentices. “I’m really pleased that FEA are moving forward with NextGen,” he said. 

John Cunningham comments, “The key message from Host was that if NextGen can open the door to get young talent interested in the industry, it will have done its job.  Because once they get in, they tend to stay.  It’s that type of industry – the people, the variety, the technological advances, the satisfaction of a job well done – if young people hear about it, they will join us.”      

Anyone interested in getting involved and finding out more about the NextGen plans should contact John via FEA,  john.cunningham@fea.org.uk.