The minister of state for further education, skills and lifelong learning discussed training needs with Jens Termansen, vice president of Arla Foods, Dave Parry (Muller Dairies), Sarah Mateer (Robert Wiseman Dairies), Chris Edwards (Arla Foods) and Justine Fosh, director of skills development at the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink, when he toured the £2.7m facility.
The Dairy Academy was built as part of Project Eden, a groundbreaking initiative that saw the UK’s biggest dairy companies and trade organisations come together to work collaboratively with the National Skills Academy in a bid to improve skills and drive productivity across the dairy industry.
As well as the Dairy Academy, which is rated the most state-of-the-art dairy training facility in Europe, the project also saw the development of a bespoke foundation degree in dairy technology aimed at developing world-class production managers for the future. Now in its second year, the course has 50 students enrolled.
After touring the facilities, Hayes said: “Our economic future depends on effective partnership between employers, colleges and government to deliver the advanced skills we need to drive growth. This can only succeed if employers are in the driving seat, shaping the training they need to meet the shifting challenges they face.
“The Dairy Academy at Reaseheath exemplifies that employer-led approach and I congratulate the dairy industry and the college for its vision and commitment in coming together in the pursuit of excellence.”
Justine Fosh added: “Project Eden has been a real success story for the collaborative, employer-focused approach to training and skills development we’re looking to take right across the food and drink industry. It’s very welcome to get the minister’s endorsement for what we’re doing.
“There’s a real appetite among employers now to invest in skills and workforce development as a key part of their strategy for growing and improving their business. The Project Eden model is being replicated right across the food and drink industry. We’re setting up sector-specific steering groups to provide the catalyst for employers to drive an ambitious, business-focused skills agenda, and we’re always keen to hear from companies that want their say on how training should be developed and delivered.”
Source: National Skills Academy for Food and Drink
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