FDF to champion new manufacturing diploma
24 April 2009
The Food & Drink Federation (FDF) says that, as part of its policy on skills, it will champion the new Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design to go live from September this year
The diploma will offer young people aged 14-19 the chance to gain a real understanding of the practical skills and knowledge required to work in manufacturing. FDF has been running the campaign since April to support the roll out of the diploma, and has asked its members to pledge their support.
This follows on FDF's announcement that, in view of the Leitch Review of skills, it is committed to contributing fully to the Government's broader ambition to raise the national workforce skills in general up to level 2 via the Skills Pledge.
The Federation says its members' involvement will be key to the success of the diploma and is what will set it apart from existing, more traditional qualifications. The intention is to give students the opportunity to see how science is used to develop new food products and study the application of mathematics in controlling automated industrial processes.
This should, in addition, give students a 'real taste of the world of work, so they come out of education with skills and knowledge more suited to the workplace than they may have following a purely academic education'.
The diploma will be delivered by approved consortia of schools, colleges and employers across 28 areas of England. It will then be rolled out in 2010 new areas to be announced.
The FDF is inviting manufacturers to form consortia partnerships with schools, colleges and other employers to offer practical advice and expert guidance in the teaching of the diploma. The next application gateway for consortia looking to deliver the diploma runs between September-December 2009, for delivery from September 2011.
Angela Coleshill, FDF HR Director, says: “We see the Diploma as a real opportunity to capture the imagination of young people who would not ordinarily consider manufacturing let alone the food and drink sector as a career choice. As part of our skills policy we are committed to raising the profile of the sector for all potential entrants; we’re particularly concerned that for an industry that relies on innovation to remain competitive we have such a shortage of food scientists and technologists.”
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