Manufacturers' call to training

- Published: 13 November, 2009

Food manufacturers are being invited to a conference this autumn, which will look at tackling shortfalls in engineering, maintenance and equipment training within the industry.

Co-hosted by MCP Consulting and Training, Reaseheath College, The National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing and CenFRA, the event takes place on Wednesday 18 November at Reaseheath's Nantwich campus.

MCP Consulting and Training MD Richard Jones said: "This conference is in response to a recent audit we carried out with 350 companies within the sector on their approach to training, focusing on plant maintenance and operation. We discovered there is a real skills shortage within companies, leading to increased downtime and, ultimately, a drop in productivity and profits.

"The conference is a first step towards rectifying the problem by founding a forum to exchange ideas and identify the specific training and skills required for various roles within food and drink manufacturing companies all with the aim of increasing efficiency within the sector."

Entitled Improving Performance in Engineering and Maintenance Through Training, the event will look at formulating a common approach for delivering skills for maintenance and equipment, as well as building profiles for roles such as technicians, team leaders and maintenance managers.

Tickets for the conference are £75 and available by calling Sarah James on 0121 5069034, or emailing training@mcpeurope.com