Food and Drink Funded Projects

The North West HLSP portfolio continues to grow and there are now five projects supported in the Food and Drink sector. The projects supported are starting their activity and Industry-led Steering Group meetings have been arranged. Projects involve a variety of partnership models and work across the region to develop a range of provision from flexible CPD modules to full Foundation Degrees. There’s a good level of participation from employers to cover the breadth of Food and Drink sector. Projects cover a wide range of topics including food production and manufacturing, dairy technology, food chain management and technology, innovation and growth, and food waste and resource solutions. Please see below some information about the projects supported.

For further information, please contact Olesya Shipova on oshipova@nwua.ac.uk or 0161 234 8884.


University of Cumbria – Foundation Degree in Sustainable Food Production and Manufacturing
The project is a collaborative partnership between stakeholders drawn from the University of Cumbria, partnering Further Education Colleges (FECs) and local employers. The fundamental need of the employers is the development of flexible sector-specific CPD modules leading to a full Foundation Degree to provide the underpinning knowledge and understanding in the area of food production and manufacturing. Both Kendal and Carlisle College offer excellent courses up to Level 3 and the new course will allow learners in the industry to progress to level 4 and 5. The project will be directed by the Steering Group involving employers and other key regional partners to identify how the provision could be aligned to employers needs particularly with respect to delivery.


Reaseheath College - Foundation Degree in Dairy Technology
This project is based on the development of a three year Foundation Degree in Dairy Technology and the qualification has been developed in conjunction with dairy industry employers, based on their needs to develop a technically skilled workforce for the dairy industry. Major industrial partners are providing direct support with investment in time, equipment and advice. The project was instigated through employers coming together under the steering group 'Project Eden'. HLSP support will allow to continue project management around student intake, student workplace learning and the development of virtual learning environment and materials to support learners in the workplace.


University of Chester and Reaseheath College - Food Chain Management and Technology
The University of Chester and Reaseheath College will collaborate to develop modules delivered through a work-based blended learning process. These will add value to the existing Foundation Degree in Food Chain Technology by providing additional industry-focused Professional Certificates (Level 4 and 5) and a top-up year (Level 6) leading to a BSc qualification. Innovative short bite-size courses will be developed from the existing and planned provision to enable a very wide range of training suitable for CPD. Optional completion of assessed work using a virtual learning environment will enable transferable academic credits to be gained.


MMU in collaboration with the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing - Innovation and Growth in Food and Drink Manufacturing Industries
MMU in partnership with the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing (NSA FDM) aims to develop a series of learning modules that are accessible, relevant and of the highest quality informed by and responsive to the needs of smaller food and drink businesses. The project will provide transformational development primarily for small and medium sized North West food and drink manufacturing businesses. Providing the key owners and managers with the skills and expertise needed to lead and develop their businesses through:

• business strategies to drive profitability and growth
• product and process innovation
• exploitation of knowledge and new technologies to understand and develop existing and potential markets
• developing commercial skills
• improved environmental awareness; and increasing food science and technology skills

University of Central Lancashire - Food Waste and Resource Solutions
The project is to develop with Industry Links, a series of units/workshops for CPD within the Food & Drink Manufacturing sector to address shortfalls in current training provision. The focus will be on waste and associated issues e.g. legislation, new technologies and zero waste to landfill. These areas have been chosen from the responses to a survey carried out by UCLan with the Food and Drink Manufacturing sector. The units can be accrued to achieve a University Certificate, which will be recognised as entry to a Foundation Degree. Units can also become a module on the MSc in Sustainable Waste Management.