Call for new food degree
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is being called on to investigate a proposed new type of food science degree which met the needs of both students and manufacturers.
The move follows complaints from industry about unsuitable graduates and dramatic falls in the numbers of young people taking traditional food science courses, which threatens the future of some university departments.
It is envisaged that the new course would contain a much higher workplace-based element and engage employers more in students' education.
Andy Taylor, professor of flavour technology at the University of Nottingham, tabled the idea of a more practical BSc at a forum of human resources (HR) managers and directors organised by Food Manufacture and held at Northern Foods' HQ in October (
If given the go-ahead, a viability study could begin in the first quarter of next year.
"In the past, the workforce was trained through further education and higher education routes," said Taylor. "But changes in education have created a skills gap with a lack of technical training (eg HND) and an emphasis on theoretical courses (BSc).
"Using the group of HR people and others, we want to explore and debate new ideas to equip graduates with skills relevant to the modern food industry and make the courses more acceptable to potential students."
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