Senior figures at the UK’s larger dairy firms are to meet next month to tackle training problems in the industry.
Directors and managers from companies including Dairy Crest, R&R Ice cream and Milk Link will attend the Project Eden summit on 1 September.
The summit is aimed at setting up a steering group of employers and training advisers to develop a new dairy industry learning curriculum and qualifications, suitable for Europe-wide accreditation.
The steering group will also appoint an accredited training provider after conducting an independent evaluation of all bidders.
The National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing is helping co-ordinate the summit, which also involves sector skills council Improve, and training providers from the public and private sectors.
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Justine Fosh, director of the National Skills Academy, said: “It has been acknowledged for some time that occupational training for the dairy industry in the UK has fallen behind some of our European neighbours.
“Project Eden is a superb example of UK employers coming together to drive the skills agenda to ensure that learning programmes and qualifications are developed to meet their changing needs.”