05.08.2008
Food safety training in manufacturing and processing is the subject of new guidance that is now available for employers.
Improve, the food and drink sector skills council, has worked in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) over the past six months to create guidance for food safety training. It is the first time guidance has been developed that is relevant for the whole food and drink manufacturing industry, offering advice on food safety training that is common to all industries and supply chain providers across the sector.
Jack Matthews, chief executive of Improve, said: “The guidance is a real example of what can be achieved through co-operation and collaboration. It will be of great benefit to employers as it provides comprehensive information on food safety training that will be continually updated. It offers clarity regarding training and food safety legislation, and makes recommendations about additional training that can be offered as good practice. It will also help to raise standards by making it easier for employers to ensure all staff are trained to an appropriate level that allows them to do their job safely and efficiently.
“I am grateful to the FSA for its far-sighted action in engaging with Improve to provide this comprehensive guidance for food and drink employers and other key organisations involved in our sector,” Mr Matthews continued.
The idea for a single, comprehensive set of guidance for the industry came about during discussions between Improve and the FSA about the training sections within existing industry guides for food safety, which cover many of the individual food manufacturing sub-sectors. Concerns were raised that because of the ever-changing skills landscape, training information contained within existing industry guides was quickly becoming out-of-date. It was agreed that a wide-ranging document, which would be regularly updated, should be created to complement the sub-sector industry guides.
The development of the new guidance has been undertaken by Improve, with assistance and input from the FSA. Over the past six months there has been extensive consultation with employers, trade associations and industry bodies to ensure all interested parties have had an opportunity to comment and provide feedback on the relevance and use of the guidance.
The new guidance is intended to be accessible for employers and training providers as a stand-alone advice document, and also as an aid for the authors of future industry guides. It is available to download free from the Improve website. Visit: http://www.improve-skills.co.uk/qualifications/food-safety-qualifications.
