FDF kicks off its apprenticeship drive
During 2012 the FDF together with the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and the National Skills Academy (NSA) for food and drink will run a range of events in regions such the West Midlands, the North West and Yorkshire.
It will kick off with a roadshow at the Food and Drink Expo at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham on the afternoon of Monday March 26. The roadshow will follow a free morning HR seminar, organised by Food Manufacture and the Institute of Food Science and Technology, titled 'Skills for a changing world of work'.
The morning skills seminaris aimed at HR directors and managers in the food and drink manufacturing sector. It will report on the latest apprenticeships available as well as other new training initiatives on offer to the industry. The event will feature speakers from the FDF, NSA and UK Commission for Employment and Skills, as well as talks from the industry and apprentices themselves.
The FDF's workshops are designed to assist food businesses that want to understand the business benefits of apprenticeships or that are interested in expanding their existing activity. Speakers will be on hand from the NAS and the NSA who will give manufacturers advice on how to get the most from apprenticeships.
In 2011 the FDF launched a pledge to double the number of apprenticeships in the industry in England and Scotland to 3,400 by the end of 2012. It has since been working with member companies to make it easier for them to navigate through the process of setting up apprenticeships and arranging training and study.
As well as increasing productivity and improving competitiveness, taking on apprentices can also lead to a more motivated workforce, says the FDF.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has launched its Education Strategy 201217 covering food production and farming communication activities to schools across the UK.
The strategy's key goal is to extract greater value from the long-term educational activities currently being carried out by each of the AHDB's sector divisions, and to better align these with other education programmes in the industry.
Food Manufacture's 'Skills for a changing world of work' seminar will take place at the NEC from 9.30am to 1pm on March 26, followed by a buffet lunch. For more information and to secure your place at the event, contact Hannah Rosevear on 01293 610431, email unaanu.ebfrirne@jeoz.pbz or visit: http://www.foodmanevents.co.uk/page/hr_forum_-_agenda.html.
