What is NextGen?
NextGen’s purpose is to build a skilled, motivated and future-ready workforce by showcasing career opportunities, supporting early-career development, and strengthening the connections between the hospitality industry and education.
The scope of NextGen extends beyond recent graduates or school leavers. It welcomes any professional who has recently joined the foodservice equipment industry and wants to deepen their knowledge of the supply chain and the various connections that define our sector.
For more information or to get involved, contact the NextGen team at [email protected]
NextGen Masterclasses
The NextGen Masterclass roadshow brings together emerging foodservice equipment professionals for a programme of expert-led sessions, networking and industry insight. Events are open to both FEA members and Arena members.
NextGen Masterclass – FEA Industry Conference
18th November 2026, Staverton Park Hotel, Daventry
This one-off event brings together a NextGen Masterclass and FEA technical insight across two one-hour sessions. FEA Technical and Policy Director Luke Slater will open with a look at what’s cooking for the sector, exploring the impact of changing regulation, skills, data, security, AI, energy, competence and financial pressures.
The second session will feature Henry Francis, Senior Strategy & Projects Manager at Deliveroo, as part of the NextGen Masterclass. Henry will share his journey from front-of-house roles to leading global operations strategy and execution across Deliveroo’s HOP grocery dark stores and Editions delivery-only kitchen businesses, overseeing a combined budget of more than £24m across around 400 people and 50+ sites in the UK, France, Italy and the UAE.
Important – Please Read
The NextGen Masterclass x Tech Refresh Mashup is a free-to-attend event and is not part of the FEA Industry Conference programme. To attend FEA Industry Conference events, also taking place at Staverton Park Hotel 18-19 November, delegates need to purchase an applicable conference ticket.
NextGen Masterclass – Glasgow
24 to 25 February 2027
ScotHot, SEC Glasgow
Speakers TBC.
Our partnership with Unifrog
NextGen has partnered with Unifrog, the social enterprise on a mission to level the destinations playing field for young people. Unifrog works with schools and colleges to manage and deliver careers guidance, ensuring every student, regardless of background, finds their best next step after school.
Unifrog in numbers:
- 2.2 million active students on the platform
- 3,000+ schools and colleges in the UK are Unifrog partners
- 146+ UK teachers in the Unifrog community
Through this partnership, NextGen is bringing the foodservice equipment industry directly to students and young people at the moment they are exploring their career options.
NextGen on Unifrog: career videos
As part of our Unifrog partnership, NextGen is creating a series of short career films featuring real people working in the foodservice equipment industry. The videos are two to three minutes long and are filmed as interviews where individuals speak directly to camera about their role and career journey.
We are particularly looking to feature people working in the following roles:
- Field service engineers
- Fitters and installers
- Designers (kitchen or product)
- Sales representatives
Submissions for our first round of videos closed on 31st May 2026. However, the form remains open and any submissions made after that date will be considered for our next round of filming.
Career Highlights Survey
We want to understand what motivates the next generation when choosing a career in the foodservice sector. Our Career Highlights Survey takes just five minutes to complete and will help us shape NextGen’s messaging and programme to better reflect what really matters to people entering the industry.
The survey is open to anyone who is new to the industry, whether you have just graduated, recently pivoted careers, or are early in your foodservice journey. Please also share it with new starters in your organisation.
NextGen Media Pack
To help members and supporters promote NextGen, a media pack is available to download. It includes:
- NextGen brand guidelines
- Full colour and black and white logos
- Social media and webpage banners
- A selection of NextGen images for social media
- The Leadership Team roles and responsibilities document
The media pack is updated regularly as NextGen grows and develops.
FAQs
There’s no single route in – people join through apprenticeships, T-Levels, direct entry roles, or by moving across from hospitality and engineering backgrounds. Our Principles of Foodservice (PFS) course is a good starting point if you’re new to the sector and want a grounding in the fundamentals before specialising further.
FEA supports apprenticeships and T-Levels across the industry, with placements at the heart of each – your school or college will support you at every stage so you can get the most from it. Beyond that, courses like PFS and the Commercial Catering Equipment Electrical Competency Course (CCEECC) help build practical, recognised skills as you progress.
Plenty. Many FEA courses are open to non-members as well as members, our Jobs Board is publicly visible so you don’t need to be affiliated with a member company to search it, and our learning resources are there to help you build skills and boost your career prospects from day one – however you’re getting started.
Get involved with NextGen
Whether you are an industry professional who wants to support the next generation, a new starter looking to connect with peers, or a business wanting to showcase your career opportunities, NextGen has a place for you.
Contact the NextGen team to find out how to get involved: [email protected]
also of interest
Apprenticeships & T-levels
Find out how FEA supports apprenticeships and T Level placements in the foodservice equipment sector.
Events
See what events FEA has coming up, including the FEA Industry Conference.
Principles of Foodservice (PFS)
A free online foundation course for new starters in the foodservice industry.