NSAFD Launches Free Sector‑Focused Sessions for Learning at Work Week 2026 

The National Skills Academy for Food & Drink is marking Learning at Work Week 2026 (18–24 May) with a comprehensive programme of free development sessions designed specifically for the food and drink sector.

This year’s theme - investing in skills, capability and confidence - reflects the sector’s ongoing need for adaptable, well‑supported teams who can respond to commercial pressures, technological change and evolving workforce expectations. Throughout the week, NSAFD is partnering with high‑quality training providers to deliver practical, insight‑rich sessions that support real development in real workplaces.

A Week Built Around the Skills That Matter

The programme brings together a wide range of topics shaped by employer needs, including leadership, behavioural science, wellbeing, performance management, negotiation, coaching, change management and AI readiness. Sessions are designed to be short, accessible and immediately useful for individuals at all levels.

Highlights include:

• Behavioural Science for Leadership in Safety (1st Choice): exploring how behavioural drivers and leadership influence can shift teams from compliance to genuine safety ownership.
• Branding and Sales -Developing Your Proposition (JGA Group): helping businesses refine their offer, strengthen brand positioning and understand how buying decisions are made.
• Strengthening Supervisor Performance Management (Fuel Learning): giving frontline leaders practical tools to tackle issues early and reduce escalation.
• Healthy Boundaries at Work (Springboard Consultancy): supporting wellbeing and resilience in high‑pressure environments.
• Managing Change (CQM Training & Consultancy): building confidence in leading teams through uncertainty.
• Negotiation and Persuasion (BPIF): improving outcomes in challenging conversations while protecting relationships.
• The Leadership Gap: AI Readiness in Manufacturing (Instep): exploring the leadership mindset needed to unlock the UK’s £400B AI opportunity.
• Coaching & Mentoring Basics (CQM): introducing the GROW model and the listening habits that strengthen everyday leadership conversations.
• Understanding Emerging Adulthood (Jacqueline Weeks): supporting managers of 16–29‑year‑olds with insight into the psychology and neurobiology of early adulthood.
• Career FlightPlan (Jacqueline Weeks): helping individuals design a personal ‘safety plan’ for navigating a turbulent career landscape.
• Effective and Impactful recruitment and training (Shrewsbury College): This session will equip attendees with the key questions, insights, and practical tools needed to work strategically with training providers.
• Process Leader: Data‑Driven Decision‑Making (Cogent): a bite‑size introduction to stakeholder management, communication and presenting data effectively.

Supporting Capability Across the Sector

The week reflects NSAFD’s commitment to strengthening skills across the food and drink workforce, from frontline supervisors to senior leaders, from early‑career employees to experienced managers adapting to new technologies and expectations.

Whether businesses want to upskill teams, support wellbeing, build leadership capability or explore new ways of working, Learning at Work Week offers something for every organisation in the employer network.

How to Get Involved

You can see all the sessions, dates and times in the PDF below and can book via [email protected].