National Skills Academy for Food & Drink Manufacturing Network and Academy hub launch - 28 June 2007

26 June 2007: Stakeholders involved in the development of the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink Manufacturing were joined by employers and other organisations which will play a significant role as the Skills Academy progresses. The event was attended by members of the Learning and Skills Council, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Education and Skills, employers from within the sector, Trade Associations, Academy Centres, Improve Ltd - the sector skills council involved in the development of the skills academy - and many others.

The launch event demonstrated how the new Skills Academy will improve the skills of employees in the food and drink manufacturing sector, with the aim of driving competitiveness, efficiency and profitability.

Speakers included:

• Jack Matthews, CEO of Improve Ltd.
• Chris Banks, Chairman of the Learning and Skills Council and
• Wynne Griffiths, CEO of Young’s Seafood.

Attendees also had the opportunity to be some of the first to try out the online “hub” which enables employers within the sector to access the training they need to address skills gaps in their workforce in an effective and efficient manner.

The launch was held at Young’s Seafood in Grimsby, the employer of the first 41 academy students.