Journal of Research & Scholarly Output 2006 - Grimsby Institute of ...

are already showing real economic and
quality benefits to the participating
businesses. The CoVE has also been
successful in driving new product
development projects in the Humber region
through the provision of training support in
new-product development and utilisation of
the dedicated new product development
lower than the EU, USA and Japan in terms
of operational effective efficiency. Key areas
for improvement were identified as
changeover times, downtime, output rates,
wastes & skills shortages. These problems
are of particular significance when the
importance of food manufacturing to the
local economy is considered.
centre.
Keywords:
fish, manufacturing, training, improvement,
software
Employment within the ‘Manufacture of
Food Products & Beverages’ sector
constitutes 16.3% of employment in North
East Lincolnshire, 5% in Hull and 5.8% in
Skill gaps in modern fish manufacturing
North Lincolnshire. There is a manufacturing
cluster within the Humber region that
In fish products manufacturing, the work
force undertakes daily operations that have
become increasingly complex. Fish
products manufacturing is a labour intensive
sector and is therefore heavily reliant on the
effectiveness of its human resources to
underpin business productivity. This
weighted reliance on personnel creates a
represents 8.2% of local employment or
over 23 000 jobs. The relative size of the
labour market also has a bearing, with food
commonly identified as a key strategic
sector for support through both the Humber
Sub-Regional Economic Strategy and the
Regional Development Agency’s Cluster
Strategy.
need for higher skilled operatives and
technicians.
The relative deficit of Level 3 (pre-degree)
skills within the food sector points to the
The competitiveness of the UK Food
Manufacturing Industry is currently a major
concern. An International Benchmarking
Study (FDNTO, 1998) found that the UK
food industry is on average nearly 10%
need for training. There is a particular need
for higher level craft and technical skills
provision in order to underpin overall
operational effectiveness and efficiency
within the sector. The food sector, in
We would like to acknowledge our partner institutes who are working with us on these
projects. North Lindsey College are researching and implementing Business improvement
skills programmes and Hull College are leading on Engineering Maintenance. Further the
Learning and Skills Council have actively supported the project financially and
operationally.
Mick Lochran - Assistant Director of Applied Learning, Skills and Technology,
North Lindsey College
Brian Smith - Project Manager, North Lindsey College
Graham Towse - Director of Learning (programmes), Hull College
Dave Dyble - Work Based Learning Co-ordinator, Hull College
Ruth Palmer - Learning and Skills Council, Humber
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