CFA’s initiative to address a skills gap in chilled food production is 10 years old. Representatives from industry and education have sent warm messages of thanks and support.
“There is much to be optimistic about”
Patrick Coveney, CEO of Greencore Group plc (and CFA member company) explains Chilled Education’s significance to the chilled food sector:y) explains Chilled Education’s significance to the chilled food sector: “I send congratulations to the CFA for ten years of its Chilled Education initiative. At its inception it was addressing a massive skills gap in the industry.
“Over the decade we’ve seen graduates, inspired by Chilled Education, join Greencore. We’ve also been delighted to be part of the ‘delivery team’ – going to science and careers fairs to join industry colleagues in sharing our experiences, and our enthusiasm for our dynamic industry. Though much has changed, the recruitment and retention of food scientists (and other colleagues) is more critical than ever. Chilled Education, therefore, still has an important role to play. And if the success of the first ten years is anything to go by, there is much to be optimistic about – as Chilled Education continues to inspire, inform and nurture the next generation of food scientists.”
“Here’s to the next decade!”
Patrick’s words were echoed by fellow CFA member company’s Samworth Brothers’ CEO Flor Healy: “We are dedicated to the sustainability of the chilled food industry and are proud to have been actively involved in Chilled Education’s work. My Samworth colleagues have been to careers and science fairs and out to schools to share their knowledge. Their experiences are also a key part of the Chilled Education website.
”There are, of course, many routes into the industry and we are proud to be working with Sheffield Hallam University on its innovative Degree Apprentice Programme. Some of our apprentices are also working with Chilled Education. Their enthusiasm is infectious and their dedication compelling. I look forward to seeing their development and to welcoming many more. Thank you, Chilled Education, for pointing young scientific minds in our direction. Here’s to the next decade!”
“Bridging the skills gap, tirelessly supported by Chilled Education”
Over the years CEd has worked with many teachers to develop its innovative resources. A partnership with the Design & Technology Association has led to a long-standing working relationship with its former Deputy CEO and founder of the Food Teacher Centre, Louise Davies. She told CEd: “As a thriving group of over 7,000 food teachers we are delighted to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Chilled Education.
“We are very proud of our partnership with CEd. Their celebration of 10 years nurturing the next generation of food scientists and sharing career pathways in the food sector closely unites with our own mission for better food teaching. We have worked collaboratively with them over the years to create platforms for professionals to share and receive advice and guidance.
“Food teachers and their students have enjoyed using CEd’s wide range of resources. We have happily shared thousands of fridge thermometers, making an impact both in school and in the home. Many students enjoy using the MicroTrumps card game to get to grips with essential knowledge of pathogens and useful microbes in food. Teachers and technicians also use MicroTrumps to extend their own knowledge and application of microbial aspects of food.
“Many food teachers use and share the careers information. Bridging the skills gap tirelessly supported by Chilled Education during the last ten years is a unifying theme for future projects. The website used by many of our members is testament to the reliable, wide-ranging and appropriate teaching resources available for use in schools today. Lesson plans, classroom activities and food science ideas are amongst the ‘go to’ resources always available, for various Key Stages, for food teachers.
”We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Chilled Education in the future to support many aspects of food education.”
“CFA has developed my skills and championed me”
Realising the need to work with science teachers as well as food teachers to influence lessons, in 2014 CEd began a successful partnership with the Association for Science Education, which introduced CEd to Chartered Science Teacher and author of best-selling science books, Sam Holyman. Sam’s shared her enthusiasm and knowledge of her subject with CEd. She says: “I am so privileged and proud to have worked with the CFA to create lesson ideas and resources that are ready to work in a classroom. My own children have grown up with the idea that Food Science isn’t just cooking and have trialled lots of our ideas to see how young learners would engage with the activities, with Annie being amazed by the real iron in her cereal and Zac loving MicroTrumps.”
Sam Holyman’s Sweet Sustainable Science workshops were enjoyed by teachers at the ASE conference: “We discovered that including children in our hands-on workshop was a great asset, as their enthusiasm for the subject showed sceptical delegates the power of food to really help students understand concepts in the more traditional sciences. ”My favourite part is working out how we can use food science techniques to reduce the risk of practicals for the science classroom. It has the added bonus in creating a lesson hook, bringing in everyday links from the food we eat to thinking about how science really affects us – from hand washing to harnessing the power of microbes to make yoghurt or insulin! Sam continues: “CFA has developed my skills and championed me, and it has been a real pleasure to help encourage more people into STEM careers.”
Karin Goodburn MBE, CFA Director General, sums up: “Chilled Education continues its aims to: ‘inform, educate and inspire children in all areas of the dynamic and diverse chilled food sector’. While we are proud of our successes and eagerly follow the progress of our young graduates, our work is by no means over. Our industry’s need for high quality food scientists, and other experts, shows no sign of diminishing as vacant roles continue to mount up.
“However, we are heartened by the overwhelmingly positive experiences reported by the new recruits and will be using those testimonials to encourage others. They go a long way to correct the many misconceptions about the industry that have proved a barrier for many people. “We send sincere thanks to all our partners and supporters and look forward to further working with our
colleagues in the industry and in education as we embark on the next
ten years of Chilled Education.”