Home > News > September 2005 > 14-Sep-2005

Skills council seeks funding for national learning centre

Improve, the food and drink Sector Skills Council, is seeking up to £5 million of government funding to establish a national centre of learning for the sector. Improve is competing for money allocated to set up the first four sector-specific skills academies in the country.

"In our first year of operation as a sector skills council we have been working very hard to determine the right model for the academy, and we have been canvassing for support among employers, said Jack Matthews, chief executive of Improve. "We believe we now have the right blueprint for a highly successful academy, which will be a beacon for excellence, pulling together and building upon the very best of resources and knowledge available to the sector.

"Our bid is supported by employers and trade associations, such as the Food and Drink Federation, which represents the top 250 companies in the sector, and which canvassed its members before pledging support. In addition we have the separate backing and commitment of many other influential employers' associations and individual employers, who believe wholeheartedly that the academy will be a major driving force for the development of skills."

According to Improve, a number major employers in the sector have already expressed interest in becoming sponsors of the academy, including Coca Cola Enterprises, Muller Dairies, Northern Foods, Dairy Crest, and United Biscuits, as well as leading food and drink commercial training companies such as Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Group, and Cambrian Training.

A decision from ministers is expected by 31 October.

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