A FROZEN yoghurt company based on Anglesey has become the latest firm to sign up to a new initiative aimed at boosting skills within the food and drink industry.

Plas Farm, based in Gaerwen, have signed a Welsh Skills Pledge committing them to working with local schools and the wider community to highlight some of the job opportunities available within their sector.

Other local firms who have already signed up to be part of the scheme include Halen Môn, Dylan’s Restaurant, Bangor Mussel Producers and Popty Bakery.

With the sector undergoing continued growth in recent years, the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board launched a skills strategy at Venue Cymru to promote some of the many exciting careers within it.

Speaking at the launch of the new scheme recently, Rhian Williams of Plas Farm said: “We’re proud to be able to offer

employment opportunities to people living in the local area.

"That is why we are more than happy to sign the pledge and play our part in inspiring the next generation of workers in our sector.”

Meanwhile, the Welsh Government also unveiled a £3m funding package for ‘Food Skills Cymru’, which will provide technical and staff development training for food and drink companies based in Wales.

Food and drink manufacturing currently employs over 20,000 people in Wales and activities in the scheme that Plas Farm have signed up to will include inviting pupils to their site to see the variety of roles that could be on offer to them.

Other announcements as part of the skills plan include a commitment to increase the availability and provision of apprenticeships within the industry.