Bite-sized training thatís easy to swallow

Retailers will soon be able to benefit from training courses that meet new food safety regulations.

The regulations, which came into effect on January 1st this year, require all staff in contact with food to be suitably trained to meet industry standards in food safety.

Developed by Skillsmart Retail in partnership with awarding bodies and the Food Standards Agency, the new courses will initially be available through the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, but other awarding bodies are expected to follow shortly.

Trade organisations, such as the Association of Convenience Stores, have played an integral part in the development of the industry standards from which the course content was created. Retail employers were also consulted at every stage to ensure the content remained fit for purpose.

For retail businesses, successful completion of the courses will provide evidence of a commitment to compliance in the event of an environmental health inspection and, at the same time, regulate the food-handling skills of employees.

There are three courses covering initial food safety awareness (such as the handling of wrapped food), the preparation of food products and food safety management systems and procedures (such as waste disposal, cleaning and disinfection and pest control).

In the past, retailers have had to undertake generic food safety courses, which failed to address the particular needs of the retail environment. The new courses, however, represent a shift towards a more retail-focused qualification system that will ultimately enable all retail employers to build a more highly-skilled workforce and help improve the public perception of in-store standards.

Skillsmart Retail is committed to ensuring all retail courses and qualifications are employer-led and meet the needs of the industry at every level. These food safety courses are a starting point for focused, bite-sized learning that deals with day-to-day operational issues that affect retail businesses.

The courses are expected to be offered from the 1st of January 2007, although some may be accredited earlier.

For more information on these courses, contact Beverley Paddey, Head of Standards & Qualifications at Skillsmart Retail, at beverley.paddey@skillsmartretail.com