UWE Validates Hartpury’s First Work Based Food and Drink Foundation Degree

July 10, 2008 - PRLog -- Following months of consultation and development, The University of the West of England has validated Hartpury’s first Food and Drink Foundation degree programme. This ‘work based’ Higher Education opportunity will complement the range of Food and Drink NVQ Level 3 qualifications that are being delivered on-campus and in training hubs across the County, supporting the training and development needs of this buoyant industry.

According to recent statistics, the UK food and drink manufacturing industry accounts for 15% of the country’s manufacturing sector, with an annual turnover of £ 70bn and directly employing 470,000 people. The South West’s regional strengths include the manufacture of beverages, production and preservation of meat and dairy products and processing; however the sector is complex, currently dominated by farmers and growers seeking to add value to their products.

In recent years, many organisations including DEFRA, the NFU and ADAS, have identified that the main barriers to business development in the sector have been access to training and business advice, planning and development and a lack of knowledge and expertise to diversify; business’s themselves highlighting costs associated with training, lack of time and difficulties finding an appropriate course as major issues.

To support the needs of local employers and meet these demands, Hartpury College has developed a versatile work based Foundation degree programme in Food and Drink Manufacturing. The flexibility of the Foundation degree allows people already in work, who traditionally have had few opportunities to gain related qualifications, the chance to develop their own professional careers whilst bringing new skills and knowledge into their workplace.

Students will study at Hartpury either through day-release or evening sessions; the majority of the learning taking place in the workplace supported by online study, learning packs and workplace mentors. Areas of study within the programme will include Food Science, Microbiology and Nutrition, Safety and Standards Legislation and Quality Control. An introduction to business and human resource management is also integrated within the programme, along with the opportunity to look at process and product development.

Entry requirements onto the course have been designed to widen participation and encourage those who would have never thought about entering into higher education, the opportunity to apply. A ‘typical’ applicant would have been employed in a food or drink related industry and hold a current Food Safety Certificate. Five GCSE’s at grade C or above and A-level qualifications to the equivalent of 80-100 tariff points are preferred; however applications from potential mature students who do not hold such qualifications will also be welcomed by Hartpury.

For further information about this new study opportunity contact Hartpury’s Food and Drink Manager, Sue Guilding, on 01452 702317, email susan.guilding@hartpury.ac.uk or visit www.hartpury.ac.uk.

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Hartpury College is an outstanding provider of equine care, animal science, agricultural and land management courses, sports science, food technology and related courses. We pride ourselves on our portfolio of programmes which provides you with the best choices and the qualifications you need to realise your full potential.