Food manufacturer enrols managers on new qualification

Posted 10 February 2014

Watch the video on our YouTube channel.

One of the UK's leading food companies has enrolled 12 of its managers on a new post-graduate qualification in Poultry Business Management at Harper Adams University.

During the past two years, Faccenda Group has been working closely with the university to develop the course. It aims to offer a sector-focused, work-related qualification that provides managers with a thorough grounding in the knowledge and skills they need to undertake key roles in the poultry sector.

Last month, 12 managers from across the business were enrolled in the pilot year of this new qualification, which consists of four modules. These focus on poultry processing, operations, supply chain and general management. At the end of the course, students will have completed a post-graduate qualification in Poultry Management.

Faccenda HR Director, Andrew Brodie, said: “This qualification is perfect for graduates and more experienced managers who need to build their knowledge and understanding of poultry sector and learn the latest best practice.

“It is also a fantastic programme for more experienced industry managers who now have the opportunity to build on skills learnt over many years in the workplace, in a structured academic framework.

“Although it is a post-graduate level qualification, many of our attendees are non-graduates who have passed the course entrance criteria, so it is a programme that truly is open to everyone.”

Ralph Early, Head of the Food Science and Agri-Food Supply Chain Management department at Harper Adams, said: “Harper Adams is delighted to be working in partnership with high profile food businesses such as Faccenda, to develop the latest in industry-standard qualifications that will bring value to businesses through the development of their staff.

“We already have strong links within the poultry sector, through our scholarship and placement schemes so this was a natural route for progression.

“We hope that students on the course will find it beneficial for their careers and inspire their aspirations for the future.”

Andrew concluded: “Through initiatives like this with Harper Adams, Faccenda is focused on developing the management capabilities and skills needed to grow and thrive as a successful food business in the years ahead.” 

Watch the video to hear from two of the students enrolled on the course.