Manchester Metropolitan University, London South Bank University, the Manufacturing Institute, Festo, Food Dialog and NSF CMi have been approved as National Skills Academy network members after submitting formal applications earlier this year.

Justine Fosh, executive director of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing, says, “We rigorously assess every applicant to ensure the network comprises only the very best organisations that are acknowledged for delivering first-class training to food and drink companies. The National Skills Academy masque is therefore a guarantee to employers that all the new training providers carrying it will offer the very best service and training solutions that bring genuine benefits to their businesses.”

Each of the latest approved providers will focus on a particular specialism under the academy banner. The Manufacturing Institute joins the lean manufacturing network, while Northampton-based training provider Festo will spread its capabilities across two networks ” robotics and automation and leadership and management.

Manchester Metropolitan University, London South Bank University, Suffolk-based Food Dialog and NSF CMi from Oxfordshire will join the general food and drink network.