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New Foundation Degree in Food Manufacturing numbers are rising
26/09/2007
The NTI backed University of Lincoln Foundation Degree in Food Manufacturing is proving to be a big success with employers, with over 60 students enrolling this academic year.
The programme provides development opportunities for managers and technologists, many of whom have not previously had the opportunity to enter further education.
With the choice of day release and distance learning and options in Food Supply Chain, Business and Process Improvement and Technical Management, the new qualification is supporting food industry employees in a range of roles, businesses and locations. Over 70 businesses from across the UK are sponsoring Higher Education students at the Holbeach Campus including Moy Park, Bakkavor, Geo Adams and Sons, Premier Foods, Bernard Matthews, Uniq Prepared Foods and several small firms.
The courses are available for small and medium sized businesses as part of their training commitment on receipt of a capital grant. Students also have access to state of the art industry equipment funded by the East Midlands NTI. Among this year’s students is Franek Smith of Dunns (Long Sutton) Ltd. Dunns clean and package peas, marrowfat peas and beans from local farmers for wholesalers and food manufacturers around the world, and received NTI grants for new labelling and quality assurance equipment.
“With data suggesting that one in four technologists’ posts across the sector is currently vacant due to a lack of skilled applicants, the need for access to vocationally relevant flexible Higher Education is becoming essential for employers to meet the demand for higher levels skills in the sector”, says Mike Dudbridge, senior lecturer and Foundation Degree Course tutor at the University of Lincoln.
The average age of student is 37, many having missed out on a traditional education after 16. They may have worked their way up to team leader and want further skills to take their career onwards, perhaps get a better understanding of what they are doing already, underpinning existing skills, or might have a degree in an unrelated subject and are looking for more specific training.
Image: Franek Smith of Dunns (Long Sutton) Ltd
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