Food security on the menu
Thursday 13 October 2016
The University of Salford and crisis assistance company red24 plc have joined forces to offer specialist courses in food security.
Starting in January 2017 the MSc Risk and Crisis Management (Food Safety Assurance) will offer those working in the sector, or who want to get into it, the chance to update their skills and learn about the latest regulations and how to meet changing industry standards. Recent food crises, such as the horse meat scandal, have rocked the industry and brought issues of food security into the public domain.
Dr James Mulkeen, Associate Dean Academic of the Business School at the University of Salford, helped set up the course. He said: “We think this is a really innovative solution to a gap in the market. If you look at the food and drink industry it’s one of the largest sectors in the UK economy and is subject to vast amounts of regulation. Despite that there are very few high level programmes for technicians and managers in the sector.
“Changes in legislation mean that all producers will have to demonstrate due diligence. That will mean they will need qualified staff who can respond to those demands and ensure that producers comply with the regulations”.
Eric Smith and Grant Cropper from red24 plc co-developed the programme. Eric commented: “This course is unique in that it has been developed by industry, for industry. It’s about managing risk, and specialists from red24, who have experience of working on global risk issues, will co-teach and assess the modules.”
Focusing on industry relevance, Grant added: “This is an industry collaboration that brings the workplace into the classroom and really focusses on the skills needed by the sector.”
The course offers 4 six-week modules: strategic international business management; food fraud and malicious product tampering; crisis management and business continuity and product recall. A final project will be based on a current issue.
The course offers flexible study patterns and students can opt for the full MSc programme or to opt for specific modules that contribute to either a postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma.
Dr Mulkeen added: “This is just the start of our relationship with red24. We are looking at developing into many of the other areas and offering courses for example in financial risk management or risk management in the health care sector.”
Find out more
Sam Wood
0161 295 5361
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