Dairy UK Gives Support to Project Eden
UK - Dairy UK and its member companies have given their support to a new initiative that will boost dairy education and enhance skills in the manufacturing sector.
25 September 2008
2 minute read
Project Eden, the European Dairy Education Project, aims to develop new learning curricula and qualifications suitable for Europe-wide accreditation within the dairy industry. It has been co-ordinated in the UK by the National Skills Academy (NSA) for Food and Drink Manufacturing.
A high-powered steering group of industry representatives will implement the innovative project in the UK, with backers including senior managers from Arla Foods UK, Robert Wiseman Dairies, Dairy Crest, Dairy UK and the Society of Dairy Technology.
They will take responsibility for delivering the project, working alongside a dedicated project manager from the NSA. Sector skills council Improve will also be involved, alongside training providers from the public and private sectors.
The project will also see the appointment of an accredited training provider to work on the development, and lead on the delivery, of the new qualifications.
Jim Begg, Dairy UK Director General said: “I am delighted that Dairy UK member organisations are seizing this opportunity to boost world-class manufacturing skills in the UK dairy sector. Enlarging our skilled work base will further strengthen the UK’s competitive position in dairy manufacturing, and we very much look forward to our role in helping to achieve this.”
Justine Fosh, Director of the National Skills Academy, said: “The endorsement of major dairy manufacturers has given us the green light to move forward with Project Eden. Project Eden is a superb example of employers working together to drive the skills agenda to ensure that learning programmes and qualifications are developed to meet their changing needs.”
Jens Termansen, Director of Supply Chain Development at Arla Foods UK, has been appointed Chairman of the steering group. He said: “Our vision is to introduce worldclass dairy education to the UK, which will equip employees across the industry with skills that will help companies add more value to milk. We have in place a strong steering group and, with the backing of industry, I have no doubt we can achieve this ambitious aim.”
Project Eden is anticipated to take 12 months to implement. The training provider is expected to be in place and a new curriculum accredited by September 2009.
The members of the European Dairy Education Project steering group are:
- Jens Termansen (Chair) - Director of Supply Chain Development, Arla Foods UK
- Julie Walker – Production Director, Robert Wiseman Dairies
- Dean Stephens - Site Director, Dairy Crest
- Edmund Proffitt - Processing Manager, Dairy UK
- Maurice Walton - Executive Director, Society of Dairy Technology
- Soeren Vonsild - Head of Group Engineering, Arla Foods UK
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