Dissemination in UK

The Society of Dairy Technologists UK and Ireland held A MEETING OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY 10th MAY 2017 at 1.30 p.m. at, Dairy UK Offices, High Holborn. On the Agenda was information about 'Mapping Skills Needs and supply in the EU'.

Founded in 1943, the Society of Dairy Technology (SDT) is at the forefront of the dairy and food industries. The Society is the recognised professional body fostering scientific and technological developments in the dairy industries of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Whilst its many members are predominantly from these two countries, it also has wider international representation through overseas members drawn from other EU countries and further afield.

"Our purpose is to advance professional development and recognition through knowledge transfer and networking."

Lis Korsbjerg (Arla Foods) presented to the UK’s Dairy Industry Skills Partnership (DISP) in June.

Present were three large Dairy companies (Müller, Dairy Crest and Arla), one skills agency (NSA) and two providers (Reaseheath College and Midlands Group Training Services (MGTS)).

About the DISP:

The dairy industry in the UK is transforming with the introduction of new technology, new processes and increased automation. Leaders of the dairy industry in the future need to have a wide range of skills and knowledge both to understand and lead change, and to continue to respond to customer requirements, environmental constraints and commercial pressures.  The industry in the UK has suffered from a lack of appropriately skilled new recruits or even formal and structured training that is suitable to develop their in-house employees. The industry has recognised that in order to meet its future challenges a major new initiative is required.  Project Eden is the name of a programme led by the dairy industry, supported by the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink and Dairy UK, which will enable UK based companies to train their staff to become tomorrow’s dairy leaders. Following extensive development by an industry steering group, a dedicated state of the art dairy training facility has been developed at Reaseheath college along with a new curriculum designed to provide employees with a broad education in dairy over three years with a combination of on and off the job training. This cross industry programme will enable employees from a variety of organisations to come together to share learning and build a new future for the dairy industry.