Fresh Produce Managers celebrate at Harper Adams

Posted 1 August 2012

Watch the video on our YouTube channel.

A group of newly-qualified fresh produce managers came together for a special awards ceremony at Harper Adams University College last week.

MDS (Management Development Services) delivers a two year Post Graduate Certificate in Food and Fresh Produce Management which is accredited by Harper Adams.

10 trainees from groups 26 and 27 were invited to the Regional Food Academy on campus to receive their certificates and to talk about their most memorable moments from the course.

The event was opened by Link Co-ordinator and Harper Adams Lecturer, Richard Taylor, before Chairman of MDS Ltd, Doug Henderson presented the awards.

Mr Henderson, said: “The award of this Post Graduate Certificate is only possible through what remains a unique relationship in employer engagement, between an industry body, MDS, and a university, Harper Adams.

“I am pleased to be able to report once again, that despite the continuing economic difficulties, all of our trainees have secured jobs, maintaining our 100% trainee employment record.”

The course, which saw its first official graduation in 2009, combines training, personal development and secondments with four employers.

25-year-old Josh Parker from Cornwall enrolled on the programme after graduating from a degree in Agri-Food Marketing with Business Studies from Harper Adams in 2009.

He said: “The highlight of the MDS course for me has been working for Waitrose – I had a great time and made some great contacts.

“I’m now working for Chingford Fruit Ltd in their stone fruit team as an Assistant Account Manager for Waitrose and Sainsbury’s.”

Alice Parker from Bury St. Edmunds wrote the best synoptic paper and will see her work published in the Fresh Produce Journal (FPJ).

The 23-year-old, said: “Prior to MDS, I did a history degree at the University of Kent and it was whilst working in a farm shop that I heard about the course.

“MDS gives students great training which includes taking part in team building and leadership skills activities.
“I’m now working for Dole Fresh UK on the Marks and Spencer’s account and really enjoying it.”

Presented with awards at the event were –

Josh Parker, 25, from Cornwall,
Alice Parker, 23, from Bury St. Edmunds,
Rebecca Charnley, 24, from Preston,
Elisa Soares, 35, from Portugal,
Archie Stewart, 26, from Kelso, Scotland,
Victoria Ludlam, 26, from Nottingham,
Will Wilson, 25, from Ipswich,
Joanna Stephenson, 24, from Powys,
Emily Livesey, 24, from Ashbourne,
Samantha Cookson, 24, from Somerset

MDS Ltd and Harper Adams University College launched the Postgraduate Certificate in Food and Fresh Produce Management in October 2007, when it was the first course of its kind.  The accredited two-year management revolves around four secondments of about six months each, combined with off-the-job learning from external tutors, many of whom are industry experts.