Food and Drink

The UK Food & Drink manufacturing sector is a rapidly changing area, with an annual turnover of £74 billion. This is an exciting time for the food and drink industry, with demand for healthy food and drink growing quickly from a range of audiences.

Hartpury held a Centre of Vocational Excellence in Food and Drink Technology until it became a member of the Improve (Sector Skills Council) National Skills Academy. The college has developed specialised training facilities in meat production and butchery, cheese making and bakery in partnership with recognised experts such as Ensors.

The Food & Drink Department focuses on food and drink production in all its forms. These range from the needs  for proficiency and certification through short and long courses and apprenticeships;  education of students and teachers; community programmes to re-engage the disaffected or to enable disadvantaged groups; skills related courses for those with a general or professional interest in food through the transfer of knowledge; bespoke consultancy at all points in the food chain from primary production through new product and market development to enhancement and projects based work.

Jane Poole and her team can use facilities in Cinderford (meat processing), Minchinhampton (cheese making) as well as the College’s own demonstration and test kitchen at Hartpury. In addition, work is undertaken on client sites regionally for small and large food and drink producers.

For more details on courses currently offered please see the links below. For additional information or to discuss other needs please call the Hartpury Business team on 01452 702154.