Big names in the dairy sector are joining forces with the National Skills Academy (NSA) and Improve, the sector skills council, to introduce a European-wide accreditation.
Firms such as Arla, Dairy Crest, Robert Wiseman, R&R Ice cream, First Milk and Milk Link attended a summit on September 1 to discuss The European Dairy Project, also known as Project Eden.
Co-ordinated by the employer-led NSA for Food and Drink Manufacturing and Improve, the summit aims to appoint a steering group of employers and training advisors.
The steering group will prepare courses suitable for the industry, as well as appoint an accredited training provider.
The NSA aims to secure a learning programme and training provider by January 2009. Justine Fosh, director of the NSA, said: "Although this is a very ambitious time scale, it gives us a very clear goal."