Abstract
Agro-food companies are aware that the technical and soft skills of their employees directly influence business performance and, consequently, improving those skills will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their companies. This paper presents the main results of the AgriTraining project “Training requirements for the agro-food industry". Activities in pursuit of the objectives of this project involved: (1) analysis of the training needs in the agro-food industry in Portugal; (2) analysis of the training provision and the training organizations; (3) analysis of market trends; (4) definition of a training strategy; and (5) adjustment and development of training strategies for the agro-food sector. This last activity comprised the development of training curricula, suitable for the food sector as a whole and adjusted for the specific needs of some traditional industries, in order to promote the development and competitiveness of the agro-food industry in Portugal. Such training curricula aimed to promote the uptake of innovative technologies and methodologies, increase the ability of agro-food industries to invest and take risks, and enable adoption of European Community standards for production and marketing. Gaps in training supply were identified and the training provision was updated according to the needs of the agro-food companies. It was determined that companies need and demand knowledge and innovation to increase their competitive position for internationalization purposes. It was possible to define a training strategy based on market-orientation for agro-food differentiation.
Highlights
One possible means of leveraging the economic activity of food enterprises, in the face of economic recession, is to create conditions that promote an improvement in the technical and management skills of the professionals within the agro-food sector
The results are divided in two groups according to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) levels of qualification: qualification levels V to VIII (CET to PhD qualification) and qualification levels II to IV (3rd cycle of basic education - lower secondary education to Secondary education qualification)
An analysis of the training provision at qualification levels V to VIII, and from the Technological Specialization Courses (CET) to the higher training levels (Bachelor, Postgraduate, Master and Doctorate) relevant to the agro-food sector is presented
Summary
One possible means of leveraging the economic activity of food enterprises, in the face of economic recession, is to create conditions that promote an improvement in the technical and management skills of the professionals within the agro-food sector. Five from the national scientific system and two sectorial associations, formed the project consortium. 30 specialized people within this consortium developed the project in collaboration with several external organizations. The strategic objectives of the AgriTraining project were as follows: (1) Evaluate, define and organize a training provision oriented for the agro-food sector; (2) Develop training products, varied and flexible, suitable to the target audience; (3) Create curricula for professionalizing courses that fulfil both labour market trends and the specific needs of companies; (4) Organize training plans; and (5) Disseminate and set-up a database of training provision and professional profiles. Activities in pursuit of these objectives involved: Analysis of training needs of the agro-food industry in Portugal
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