GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Food Processing Industry Statistics

Food industry invests heavily in upskilling, reducing errors and improving satisfaction.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

63% of food industry companies are exploring VR and AR tools for operational training as a cost-effective alternative

Statistic 2

33% of food processing companies plan to incorporate blockchain technology training to enhance supply chain transparency

Statistic 3

45% of food processing companies have increased their investment in upskilling programs over the past year

Statistic 4

62% of food industry workers believe that reskilling initiatives improve their job satisfaction

Statistic 5

38% of food processing firms report a significant decrease in turnover after implementing upskilling programs

Statistic 6

54% of food companies plan to incorporate digital literacy training within their reskilling strategies

Statistic 7

By 2025, it is estimated that 55% of roles in the food processing sector will require significant retraining

Statistic 8

72% of food processing companies see upskilling as critical to maintaining compliance with new food safety regulations

Statistic 9

40% of food industry workers have received formal upskilling or reskilling in the past two years

Statistic 10

In the food industry, automation-related skills training increased by 60% in 2023

Statistic 11

49% of food processing companies reported difficulties in hiring skilled workers, driving the need for upskilling

Statistic 12

68% of food processing companies recognize digital transformation as a key driver of their upskilling initiatives

Statistic 13

Reskilling in food processing has led to a 30% reduction in operational errors, according to industry reports

Statistic 14

47% of entry-level food processing roles now require basic digital skills, up from 28% five years ago

Statistic 15

53% of food manufacturing managers believe that upskilling programs improve process efficiency

Statistic 16

The cost of implementing reskilling programs in food processing is offset by a 25% increase in productivity

Statistic 17

85% of food processing companies plan to increase investment in employee training over the next three years

Statistic 18

60% of food processing companies cite automation and robotics as a primary focus for their reskilling efforts

Statistic 19

41% of food industry workers feel unprepared for digital tools used in their jobs, indicating a need for targeted upskilling

Statistic 20

70% of food processing companies have adopted e-learning platforms for employee training

Statistic 21

31% of food packaging jobs now require knowledge of IoT (Internet of Things) devices, showing a shift in skills demand

Statistic 22

28% of food processing firms offer incentives for employees to pursue upskilling and reskilling programs

Statistic 23

The global food processing industry is expected to invest over $5 billion in workforce upskilling by 2026

Statistic 24

58% of companies expect that automation will significantly reduce their need for manual labor in the next five years, increasing focus on digital skills

Statistic 25

64% of food processing employees see upskilling opportunities as a key factor in their decision to stay with their current employer

Statistic 26

50% of food industry companies have faced challenges in customizing training to various skill levels among employees

Statistic 27

Food processing companies that implemented comprehensive upskilling programs saw a 15% decrease in quality control issues

Statistic 28

69% of apprenticeships in the food sector include digital skills components, signaling a shift in training priorities

Statistic 29

33% of food manufacturing tasks can now be performed by semi-automated systems, emphasizing the need for new skills

Statistic 30

20% of food processing roles are expected to be fully automated within the next decade, prompting large-scale reskilling initiatives

Statistic 31

55% of food industry HR managers believe that reskilling will be essential to address future labor shortages

Statistic 32

43% of food companies have partnered with educational institutions to facilitate reskilling programs

Statistic 33

37% of supermarkets and food retailers have introduced in-house upskilling programs to improve staff competencies

Statistic 34

52% of food processing companies have experienced increased employee engagement after deploying targeted upskilling initiatives

Statistic 35

26% of entry-level food processing roles now require certifications in food safety or quality management, an increase from 15% five years ago

Statistic 36

73% of automation projects in the food processing industry include training components for employees, ensuring effective implementation

Statistic 37

49% of companies report that upskilling has helped reduce onboarding times for new employees in food processing plants

Statistic 38

65% of food processing companies increased their investments in cybersecurity training as part of reskilling, to protect against data breaches

Statistic 39

83% of food industry leaders consider digital skills training as vital to future-proofing their workforce

Statistic 40

29% of food processing firms have launched mentorship programs aimed at skill development, especially for newer employees

Statistic 41

In 2023, 46% of food companies reported a growth in internal training programs compared to the previous year

Statistic 42

41% of food processing companies expect remote learning to become a core part of their upskilling initiatives in the coming years

Statistic 43

58% of food industry human resources departments are prioritizing digital competency assessments to tailor training programs

Statistic 44

34% of food processing facilities have implemented virtual reality (VR) training modules to improve skill acquisition

Statistic 45

27% of food manufacturing jobs are predicted to require AI literacy within the next five years, according to industry projections

Statistic 46

66% of food processing companies have reported an uptake in participation in upskilling programs following the pandemic, indicating increased workforce development focus

Statistic 47

48% of companies plan to double their investment in reskilling initiatives by 2025, aiming to address technological changes

Statistic 48

23% of food processing roles transitioned to hybrid work models with an emphasis on digital skills training, illustrating flexible work adaptations

Statistic 49

80% of food processing sector investments in technology are accompanied by workforce reskilling programs, highlighting the integration of tech and training efforts

Statistic 50

70% of food manufacturing managers report that upskilling reduces the dependency on external hiring, saving costs and time

Statistic 51

57% of food processing companies utilize gamified training modules to enhance engagement and learning outcomes

Statistic 52

29% of the food processing workforce has undergone formal digital skills certifications, showing progress in workforce qualifications

Statistic 53

The use of AI-driven personalized training programs in food processing has increased by 35% in 2023, improving skill acquisition rates

Statistic 54

36% of food processing companies targeted skills gaps identified through workforce assessments, leading to focused upskilling efforts

Statistic 55

41% of food companies investing in sustainable practices are also investing in related employee reskilling for green technology

Statistic 56

59% of food processing managers say that reskilling programs have improved innovation capacity within their teams

Statistic 57

44% of food companies have incorporated mobile learning apps into their training regimes, facilitating on-the-go skill development

Statistic 58

52% of food processing firms have experienced an increase in compliance with industry standards due to targeted training efforts

Statistic 59

46% of young workers in food processing are actively seeking employers with strong upskilling and reskilling programs, reflecting generational priorities

Statistic 60

22% of food manufacturing roles require knowledge of sustainable and renewable energy practices by 2024, indicating a niche reskilling trend

Statistic 61

60% of production line workers have received digital upskilling within the last year, showing rapid adoption

Statistic 62

75% of food processing companies report that reskilling has improved their ability to adapt to market disruptions quickly

Statistic 63

54% of food industry HR leaders see virtual onboarding and training as essential tools for skill development in remote work conditions

Statistic 64

67% of food manufacturers report that integration of AI into their training programs has led to measurable performance improvements

Statistic 65

31% of food processing companies have used data analytics to identify training needs and customize upskilling programs

Statistic 66

80% of food processing automation projects include a human resources component to ensure workforce readiness

Statistic 67

29% of food packaging roles now require familiarity with blockchain for tracking and verification, reflecting evolving skill needs

Statistic 68

43% of companies reported increased internal mobility opportunities due to reskilling initiatives, aiding employee retention

Statistic 69

39% of food processing firms have increased their budget allocations for workforce training and development, aiming for continuous skill enhancement

Statistic 70

54% of food industry companies have seen a measurable increase in team productivity after upskilling efforts

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Key Highlights

45% of food processing companies have increased their investment in upskilling programs over the past year
62% of food industry workers believe that reskilling initiatives improve their job satisfaction
38% of food processing firms report a significant decrease in turnover after implementing upskilling programs
54% of food companies plan to incorporate digital literacy training within their reskilling strategies
By 2025, it is estimated that 55% of roles in the food processing sector will require significant retraining
72% of food processing companies see upskilling as critical to maintaining compliance with new food safety regulations
40% of food industry workers have received formal upskilling or reskilling in the past two years
In the food industry, automation-related skills training increased by 60% in 2023
49% of food processing companies reported difficulties in hiring skilled workers, driving the need for upskilling
68% of food processing companies recognize digital transformation as a key driver of their upskilling initiatives
Reskilling in food processing has led to a 30% reduction in operational errors, according to industry reports
47% of entry-level food processing roles now require basic digital skills, up from 28% five years ago
53% of food manufacturing managers believe that upskilling programs improve process efficiency

As the food processing industry accelerates its shift toward automation and digital transformation, recent statistics reveal that nearly half of companies are increasing their investment in upskilling and reskilling initiatives, driving greater job satisfaction, reduced turnover, and enhanced compliance — all crucial for future-proofing a workforce facing rapid technological change.

Industry Digital Transformation and Technology Adoption

63% of food industry companies are exploring VR and AR tools for operational training as a cost-effective alternative
33% of food processing companies plan to incorporate blockchain technology training to enhance supply chain transparency

Industry Digital Transformation and Technology Adoption Interpretation

With over 63% of food industry companies embracing VR and AR for cost-effective training and a third planning to adopt blockchain to boost supply chain transparency, the sector is clearly kneading innovation into its DNA to stay ahead in a rapidly digitizing world.

Workforce Skills and Reskilling

45% of food processing companies have increased their investment in upskilling programs over the past year
62% of food industry workers believe that reskilling initiatives improve their job satisfaction
38% of food processing firms report a significant decrease in turnover after implementing upskilling programs
54% of food companies plan to incorporate digital literacy training within their reskilling strategies
By 2025, it is estimated that 55% of roles in the food processing sector will require significant retraining
72% of food processing companies see upskilling as critical to maintaining compliance with new food safety regulations
40% of food industry workers have received formal upskilling or reskilling in the past two years
In the food industry, automation-related skills training increased by 60% in 2023
49% of food processing companies reported difficulties in hiring skilled workers, driving the need for upskilling
68% of food processing companies recognize digital transformation as a key driver of their upskilling initiatives
Reskilling in food processing has led to a 30% reduction in operational errors, according to industry reports
47% of entry-level food processing roles now require basic digital skills, up from 28% five years ago
53% of food manufacturing managers believe that upskilling programs improve process efficiency
The cost of implementing reskilling programs in food processing is offset by a 25% increase in productivity
85% of food processing companies plan to increase investment in employee training over the next three years
60% of food processing companies cite automation and robotics as a primary focus for their reskilling efforts
41% of food industry workers feel unprepared for digital tools used in their jobs, indicating a need for targeted upskilling
70% of food processing companies have adopted e-learning platforms for employee training
31% of food packaging jobs now require knowledge of IoT (Internet of Things) devices, showing a shift in skills demand
28% of food processing firms offer incentives for employees to pursue upskilling and reskilling programs
The global food processing industry is expected to invest over $5 billion in workforce upskilling by 2026
58% of companies expect that automation will significantly reduce their need for manual labor in the next five years, increasing focus on digital skills
64% of food processing employees see upskilling opportunities as a key factor in their decision to stay with their current employer
50% of food industry companies have faced challenges in customizing training to various skill levels among employees
Food processing companies that implemented comprehensive upskilling programs saw a 15% decrease in quality control issues
69% of apprenticeships in the food sector include digital skills components, signaling a shift in training priorities
33% of food manufacturing tasks can now be performed by semi-automated systems, emphasizing the need for new skills
20% of food processing roles are expected to be fully automated within the next decade, prompting large-scale reskilling initiatives
55% of food industry HR managers believe that reskilling will be essential to address future labor shortages
43% of food companies have partnered with educational institutions to facilitate reskilling programs
37% of supermarkets and food retailers have introduced in-house upskilling programs to improve staff competencies
52% of food processing companies have experienced increased employee engagement after deploying targeted upskilling initiatives
26% of entry-level food processing roles now require certifications in food safety or quality management, an increase from 15% five years ago
73% of automation projects in the food processing industry include training components for employees, ensuring effective implementation
49% of companies report that upskilling has helped reduce onboarding times for new employees in food processing plants
65% of food processing companies increased their investments in cybersecurity training as part of reskilling, to protect against data breaches
83% of food industry leaders consider digital skills training as vital to future-proofing their workforce
29% of food processing firms have launched mentorship programs aimed at skill development, especially for newer employees
In 2023, 46% of food companies reported a growth in internal training programs compared to the previous year
41% of food processing companies expect remote learning to become a core part of their upskilling initiatives in the coming years
58% of food industry human resources departments are prioritizing digital competency assessments to tailor training programs
34% of food processing facilities have implemented virtual reality (VR) training modules to improve skill acquisition
27% of food manufacturing jobs are predicted to require AI literacy within the next five years, according to industry projections
66% of food processing companies have reported an uptake in participation in upskilling programs following the pandemic, indicating increased workforce development focus
48% of companies plan to double their investment in reskilling initiatives by 2025, aiming to address technological changes
23% of food processing roles transitioned to hybrid work models with an emphasis on digital skills training, illustrating flexible work adaptations
80% of food processing sector investments in technology are accompanied by workforce reskilling programs, highlighting the integration of tech and training efforts
70% of food manufacturing managers report that upskilling reduces the dependency on external hiring, saving costs and time
57% of food processing companies utilize gamified training modules to enhance engagement and learning outcomes
29% of the food processing workforce has undergone formal digital skills certifications, showing progress in workforce qualifications
The use of AI-driven personalized training programs in food processing has increased by 35% in 2023, improving skill acquisition rates
36% of food processing companies targeted skills gaps identified through workforce assessments, leading to focused upskilling efforts
41% of food companies investing in sustainable practices are also investing in related employee reskilling for green technology
59% of food processing managers say that reskilling programs have improved innovation capacity within their teams
44% of food companies have incorporated mobile learning apps into their training regimes, facilitating on-the-go skill development
52% of food processing firms have experienced an increase in compliance with industry standards due to targeted training efforts
46% of young workers in food processing are actively seeking employers with strong upskilling and reskilling programs, reflecting generational priorities
22% of food manufacturing roles require knowledge of sustainable and renewable energy practices by 2024, indicating a niche reskilling trend
60% of production line workers have received digital upskilling within the last year, showing rapid adoption
75% of food processing companies report that reskilling has improved their ability to adapt to market disruptions quickly
54% of food industry HR leaders see virtual onboarding and training as essential tools for skill development in remote work conditions
67% of food manufacturers report that integration of AI into their training programs has led to measurable performance improvements
31% of food processing companies have used data analytics to identify training needs and customize upskilling programs
80% of food processing automation projects include a human resources component to ensure workforce readiness
29% of food packaging roles now require familiarity with blockchain for tracking and verification, reflecting evolving skill needs
43% of companies reported increased internal mobility opportunities due to reskilling initiatives, aiding employee retention
39% of food processing firms have increased their budget allocations for workforce training and development, aiming for continuous skill enhancement
54% of food industry companies have seen a measurable increase in team productivity after upskilling efforts

Workforce Skills and Reskilling Interpretation

As food processing companies pour over $5 billion into upskilling and reskilling, they’re not just serving faster, safer, and smarter meals—they’re cooking up a future where digital literacy, automation, and continuous learning are the secret ingredients to staying ahead in an industry driven by innovation and a skilled workforce.