The National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD) unveiled the first of ten new Industry Approved Apprenticeship Programmes (IAAPs) for the food industry on 22nd July.
The NSAFD says the new apprenticeship standards have been developed in conjunction with a number of UK food manufacturers and that each course contains an approved qualification – either a new qualification specifically designed for the apprenticeship, or a degree.
2 Sisters Food Group formed one of the steering groups driving the IAAPs.
Nigel Perry, the company’s group people and change director, said the result of industry collaboration was “a new apprenticeship model which puts employers in the driving seat with regards to standards. We now know what ‘good’ looks like and employers in the food and drink industry can expect consistency of quality and delivery.”
Attending the launch, Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “Apprenticeships not only transform lives but also give our country the highly skilled workforce it needs to flourish. I welcome these new Industry Approved Apprenticeship courses that have the backing of leading awarding bodies. They illustrate perfectly what can happen when employers and the sector work together.”
The event marked Leadsom’s first speech in her new role as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The Level 2 Food & Drink Process Operator, Level 3 Food & Drink Advanced Operator, Level 3 Food Technologist, Level 3 Food & Drink Maintenance Engineer and Level 5 Advanced Dairy Technologist apprenticeships will be operational from September, with five further programmes going live in the New Year.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
