Improve boosts food manufacturing training

A package of 16 qualifications in food manufacturing has been devised by sector skills council Improve as part of a programme set to dramatically transform teaching for the industry.

The project provides a framework for National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (NVQs and SVQs) in Food Manufacture. At level 2, units can be combined to create 10 pathways to an NVQ or SVQ in Food Manufacture.

Courses range from sub-sector specific, such as meat and poultry processing or craft bakery, to function-specific, such as production control or distribution. Multiple units can be combined to build a tailored qualification.

At level three, there will be six pathways to NVQ or SVQ level. Awarding bodies are developing the qualifications, the first of which is expected to be available from September. More pathways and units will be added to enable further specialisation.

Improve chief executive Jack Matthews said: “The launch of the qualifications framework is a crucial milestone for our mission to ensure that training and qualifications are designed to meet the needs of the sector.

“The benefits, overall, will be enormous. Learning providers can now very easily expand their offering to employers ... which should lead to an increase in performance and profitability throughout the sector.”

“The framework will also ... help shape the work of our new National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing.”

The programme is due to be unveiled at Pick Your Mix in Leeds on July 6. Employers who attend the day will receive a demonstration of an online tool it is hoped will help users to choose the most appropriate pathways for learners.

To reserve a place, call Sally Jenkins at Improve on 0845 644 0448 or email her at sally.jenkins@improveltd.co.uk.