News Archive
New Report: Digital Badges for the Irish Food and Agri-Food Sectors
FITU in collaboration with Taste 4 Success Skillnet launch a new report focused on the potential of digital badges for the Irish food and agri-food sectors.
The Food Industry Training Unit, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, in partnership with Skillnet Ireland’s Learning Network, Taste 4 Success Skillnet, published Ireland’s first report evaluating the use of digital badges in an enterprise context within the food and agri-food sector on Tuesday, April 16th.
Digital Badges are indicators of accomplishments or skills that can be displayed, accessed and verified online and can be earned in a wide variety of environments and have been increasing in their popularity across UCC. This unique report was the first to evaluate the potential of digital badge credentials for the food and agri-food sectors in Ireland.
Industry Focused, UCC Endorsed Digital Badges
As part of this study, UCC awarded digital badges to two programmes for the agri-food sector in Food Processing Engineering and Artisan Food Marketing. 53 trainees from 47 Artisan/Micro/SMEs within the agri-food sector were successfully awarded digital badges for these programmes. During the official launch UCC staff, alumni, industry representatives heard how digital badges offered new and exciting opportunities in the context of learning and development. The research concluded that focus is needed on increasing awareness around the concept of digital badges. Key areas of potential identified were supporting continued professional development, providing alternate pathways to learning and assisting HR managers with recruitment.
Timely Report Outlining Significant Potential for Digital Badges
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D. welcomed the timely initiative and highlighted the importance of upskilling to the agri-food sector;
“As Ireland's largest indigenous industry supporting jobs in all regions, access to a skilled and motivated workforce is key to the success of the agri-food sector. I welcome initiatives that help deliver structured career pathways for employees in the sector and I applaud the work of key stakeholders such as Skillnet Ireland and UCC coming together to explore innovative ways of promoting and recognising lifelong learning.”
The findings of this report will now be shared with relevant stakeholders including participating enterprises, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, industry bodies and employer groups. If any member of the UCC Community would like a copy of the report please contact the Food Industry Training Unit, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences.